Ebonyi govt applauds USAID-MCGL project, commits to sustain, consolidate outcomes

As the USAID-MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL), closes out its VAW/G intervention in Ebonyi, the state government has applauded the impact of the Organisation’s project activities describing them as both transformative and invaluable.

 

The commendation was conveyed by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Felicia Nwamkpuma during a stakeholders project dissemination meeting held Tuesday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

 

The dissemination meeting marked the close out ceremony of MCGL Nigeria – Violence Against Women and Girls (VAW/G) project in Ebonyi State.

 

Nwamkpuma, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Joy Mbam, noted that the profound achievements of the project activities have positively touched lives of countless women men and children across the State, significantly reducing GBV in the state and improving data reportage and response capabilities.

 

Nwamkpuma said: “Over the past four years, USAID-MCGL has demonstrated exceptional commitment, expertise and support.

 

“Together we have launched and implemented numerous initiatives that have advanced gender equality, strengthened responses to gender based violence and empowered our Communities.”

 

She enumerated some of the gains of the project in partnership with the state to include capacity building for civil society Organizations which has enhanced reporting and response; upgrade of the Gender-based violence situation room and equipping of the Safe Space/Shelter home for GBV survivors in the State, among others.

 

The Commissioner assured that the State would continue to sustain and advance the gains bequeathed to her, courtesy of the partnership.

 

She added: “Today, as we disseminate the outcome of this impactful project, we also look to the future with focus on consolidation, sustainability and ownership.

 

“It is a call to solidify the gains we have made, ensure the longevity of our initiatives and foster a sense of ownership among all stakeholders.”

 

In a presentation, Nneka Chijioke Dikeocha, the Ebonyi State Team Lead, MOMENTUM Nigeria- VAW/G project, highlighted some of the achievements of the Organisation in the State to include Significant improvement in GBV cases reported on national DHIS2 from 1,207 at commencement of intervention in 2021 to an average of 4500 yearly.

 

She noted that one of their community intervention programs have reached over 20 000 persons, with community members now knowing and confidently acknowledging that they have power within, which could be channelled to positive uses instead of violence.

 

She further appreciated the state government for the enabling environment, and their CSO partners: Essential Health Network for Rural Dwellers, Daughters of Virtue and Empowerment Initiative and the Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme for their diligence.

 

Dikeocha added: “A total of 1105 persons were trained in Ebonyi State during MCGL implementation.

 

“Supported Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs to equip its Temporary shelter for GBV survivors which has commenced reception of survivors, though not fully optimised.

 

“Reached 15070 (1090 males, 13980 females) youths and adolescents, within age bracket 15 to 24 years, with post-partum family planning/counseling.

 

“Reached 6140 (701 males, 5439) survivors with post GBV services (such as counseling, STI treatment, post-exposure prophylaxis, emergency contraception etc.), through healthcare providers in 122 supported health facilities…”

 

She tasked the Ebonyi State government to ensure that the Ministry of Women Affairs and that of Health sustain the community interventions of the project through existing community structures and platform, ensure that health facility focal persons continue with GBV screening, provision of services and documentation.

 

She also prescribed state and local government areas collaboration in supportive supervision for quality delivery of GBV services with Monitoring and Evaluation officers validating and uploading GBV data to NDHIS 2 dashboard, stressing that such would help considate the successes recorded in MCGL project in the state.

 

Others who delivered messages at the event, including Chioma Oduenyi, Project Director, MOMENTUM-Nigeria VAW/G project and the Deputy Director of Health Population and Nutrition office, USAID/Nigeria, Suegatha Kai Rennie, who joined virtually, congratulated the state for the successes, urging the stakeholders to strive to own and consolidate on the achievements.

 

Goodwill messages were received from Commissioners for Budget and planning, Chinwe Okah,; Grant and Donour Agencies, Solomon Azi, Ebonyi State GBV Taskforce and the Christian Association of Nigeria, among others.

 

The theme for the meeting was “Consolidation, Sustainability and Ownership.”