Women Minister Applauds IGP’s Initiative on GBV Response

Abuja, Nigeria  —  The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for expanding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Desk Offices to all police divisions across the country.

The initiative, she noted, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to enhance access to justice, improve service delivery, and strengthen institutional mechanisms for addressing GBV.

A Survivor-Centered Approach

By decentralizing GBV Desk Offices and integrating them with Juvenile, Women, and Children (JWC) sections, the move ensures a more survivor-centered approach to case management, investigation, and support services.

“This expansion will provide a structured and sensitive response framework for survivors, ensuring that justice is accessible at every divisional level,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated.

To enhance the effectiveness of the initiative, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force to deliver specialized training for GBV Desk Officers. The minister emphasized that the training will equip officers with survivor-focused skills to handle cases with professionalism, empathy, and efficiency.

She called on law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and community leaders to support the initiative and ensure its full implementation nationwide.

Encouraging Public Engagement

Hajiya Imaan urged Nigerians to take advantage of the expanded GBV Desk Offices by reporting incidents of gender-based violence and contributing to national efforts to eliminate the menace.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of women and children, she pledged continued advocacy for gender-responsive policies and the strengthening of national structures to safeguard GBV survivors.

With this expansion, Nigeria takes a significant step toward combating gender-based violence, enhancing survivor support systems, and fostering a more inclusive justice framework.

By Enoch Odesola | February 16, 2025