The Development Initiative of West Africa, a non-profit organisation, has organised a three-day capacity-building training for civil society organisations to strengthen efforts to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the chief executive officer of DIWA, Daoda Kanneh, commended participants for their commitment.

He said the engagement underscored a shared recognition among stakeholders that GBV remained a critical challenge affecting individuals, families and communities across Nigeria and beyond.

Mr Kanneh said that, despite ongoing interventions, there was still a need for stronger coordination, enhanced capacity, and more structured approaches to prevention.

Halima Buba, a DIWA board member, emphasised the importance of adopting a collaborative institutional approach.

She described GBV as systemic and deeply rooted in social and gender norms.

Habila Mohammed-Kuduthe, the DIWA project officer, said the training aimed to reduce the impact of GBV at the community level.

“We are empowering civil society organisations to serve as gatekeepers and champions in addressing GBV,” he said.

One participant, Samuel Yisa from Community Action for Popular Participation in Niger, said the training equipped participants with knowledge on emerging trends in GBV, which he described as increasingly prevalent.

He called for collective action among stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.

Participants at the training, held in Abuja on Wednesday, were drawn from Niger, Kogi, Benue and Kwara.

(NAN)