CERSDOV, UNFPA Empower Women-Led NGOs with Advocacy Training on Gender Rights and Community Issues

From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

The Centre for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has concluded a three-day training to equip women-led Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with effective advocacy skills.

The workshop addressed key issues including Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and gender equality.

Held at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Gombe State, the training brought together a diverse group of women-led NGOs working at the grassroots level to promote community change.

In her closing remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma’u Iganus, expressed gratitude to CERSDOV for its dedication to empowering women in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Modidi Shelpidi, she thanked UNFPA and the Norwegian Government for sponsoring the training. She emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing support for initiatives that address issues of domestic violence, which affect both women and men.

She highlighted that Gombe’s selection for the program was a commendable decision and encouraged the participants to implement the knowledge gained by sharing it with their respective communities and groups.

In her addressed the Director of the CERSDOV Professor Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf, represented by Dr. Hussaini Momoh Lawan, a facilitator, stressed the importance of addressing gender issues as a shared responsibility of both men and women.

He urged participants to use their new skills to educate others within their communities and thanked the Ministry for providing the necessary resources to support the training.

Hajiya Sa’adatu Ahmed, representing the participants from the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) in Dukku Local Government, expressed appreciation for the training, noting that it was rich with new information that would benefit their advocacy efforts.

She assured CERSDOV and its partners that the participants would pass on the knowledge gained, especially on girls’ education and preventing early marriage.

The training benefited 24 women from various groups across all 11 local government areas in Gombe State, equipping them with the tools needed to address pressing community issues.