In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Benue State – including Prime Youths and Women Empowerment Initiative (PYWEI), Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative (GECOME), Mother of Faith Foundation, and Dorcas Women Aid and Care Foundation (DOWCAF) – gathered at the NUJ House, Ankpa Road, Makurdi. The event, themed “Accelerate Action: Unstoppable Together, Women Driving Change,” focused on advancing women’s leadership and promoting gender equality in Benue State.
The event brought together key stakeholders from civil society organisations, the media, government agencies, and the private sector.
In her welcome address, Iveren Ilim, Executive Director of PYWEI, emphasised the significance of celebrating women’s resilience and contributions across various sectors. She urged participants to take the knowledge and insights gained from the event back to their communities and to continue championing women’s rights.
Delivering goodwill messages, Magdalene Andoor, Director of Women Affairs, called on women to support one another in the collective struggle for gender equality and social justice. She highlighted the critical role of women in driving sustainable development and urged stakeholders to create inclusive spaces for women’s voices to be heard.
Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, underscored the importance of inclusive policy-making and practical steps to ensure women’s full participation in governance and development. He reaffirmed the media’s commitment to amplifying women’s issues and promoting gender equality through accurate and responsible reporting.
A highly engaging panel session featured leading advocates and experts, including Fanen Tyoakoso (GERI), Magdalene Andoor (Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development), Dorcas Iorkusa (GECOME), Stephanie Tofi (Entrepreneur), and Iveren Ilim (PYWEI). They addressed several critical issues impacting women in Benue State, such as:
1. The effects of climate change, water, sanitation, and hygiene on women.
2. The high rate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Benue State and the actions being taken to address it.
3. The role of government in responding to the challenges women face.
4. Empowering women and enhancing their livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship and business development.
5. Gender-based violence: identifying who is most vulnerable in society and why.
The session was interactive, with participants actively engaged in the discussions. Many shared insightful perspectives, personal experiences, and recommendations, further enriching the conversation and reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment in the state.
In her closing remarks, Dorcas Iorkusa emphasised the urgent need for solidarity among women, highlighting that collective action is essential for meaningful change. She encouraged participants to continue advocating for policies and programmes that prioritise women’s rights and development.
As part of follow-up activities, GERI announced it will lead an advocacy visit to the Barakur Traditional Council in Kwande Local Government Area on March 24, 2025. The visit will focus on building partnerships with traditional leaders to train 100 community members on compost manure production as part of broader efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and as imperative for mitigating negative impacts of climate change on agriculture with implications on gender inequality.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Iveren Ilim called on the Benue State Government, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to prioritise investment in women’s empowerment. “When we accelerate action together, we become unstoppable. Women are driving change and must be supported to build a more equitable and prosperous society,” she said.