Strategic Outcomes from DIWA Gender-Based Violence Workshop and GDMAC's Renewed Call to Action

PRESS STATEMENT

Strategic Outcomes from DIWA Gender-Based Violence Workshop and GDMAC's Renewed Call to Action

The Grassroots Development Monitoring and Advocacy Centre (GDMAC), represented by Comrade Yinka Rasaki and Ms. Abdullahi Mẹdina, actively participated in a three-day Gender-Based Violence (GBV) capacity-building workshop organized by the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA), from 7th to 9th April 2026 in Abuja.

The workshop, themed “Empowering Civil Society Organizations as Gatekeepers and Champions Towards Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Strengthening Community-Driven Response,” brought together civil society actors from Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Benue States. The engagement provided a vital platform to strengthen coordinated, evidence-based approaches to GBV prevention and response across communities.

Discussions throughout the workshop underscored the urgent need to transition from largely reactive responses to more proactive, preventive, and community-driven strategies. Participants critically examined the structural and socio-cultural drivers of GBV, including harmful traditional practices, weak data systems, economic vulnerabilities, and the persistent culture of silence that enables abuse to thrive.

A central concept explored during the workshop was Moral Ambition, which emphasizes the importance of aligning individual commitment and institutional capacity toward achieving sustainable social impact in the fight against gender-based violence.

Key outcomes from the workshop include the prioritisation of preventive interventions, strengthening of community ownership of GBV response mechanisms, and the need to improve data collection and management systems for informed decision-making. Participants also highlighted the importance of breaking the culture of silence, enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration, and fostering inclusive approaches that engage all segments of society.

Importantly, participants developed state-specific action plans targeting critical issues such as child marriage, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other related forms of abuse.

GDMAC commends DIWA for its leadership and commitment to building the capacity of civil society organisations to act as effective agents of change. The Centre remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing gender equality and eliminating gender-based violence through sustained advocacy, strategic partnerships, and grassroots engagement.

Call to Action

GDMAC calls on all levels of government to strengthen policy implementation, provide adequate funding for GBV prevention and response programmes, and ensure access to justice for survivors. We urge community and religious leaders to challenge harmful norms, promote positive values, and create safe spaces for victims to speak out. Furthermore, we call on civil society organisations, the private sector, and development partners to deepen collaboration and invest in sustainable, community-led solutions.

We commend development partners and donors who have been active on the issue of GBV as we implore them not to relent on their efforts.

Ending gender-based violence in Nigeria requires collective responsibility. Together, we must act decisively to protect the dignity, rights, and well-being of all citizens.

Signed:

Ms. Abdullahi Mẹdina 

Grassroots Development Monitoring and Advocacy Centre (GDMAC)

April 2026