FCT INAUGURATES JIWA COMMUNITY PROTECTION COMMITTEE TO STRENGTHEN FIGHT AGAINST SGBV

By: Adeyemi Oluwakemi and Martha Yusuf Shibayan

As part of efforts to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and strengthen community-level prevention and response mechanisms in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, in collaboration with the FCT Social Development Secretariat and with support from the European Union and International IDEA, has inaugurated the Jiwa Chiefdom Community-Based Protection Committee against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The inauguration, held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Maitama, Abuja, formally ushered in members of the committee, who were appointed and inaugurated to promote the prevention of gender-based violence, support survivors and strengthen referral pathways to appropriate response services within Jiwa Chiefdom.

The Permanent Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Hajia Asmau Mukhtar, Esq., stated that the FCT Minister, HE Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has been in the fore front of unwavering commitment to the welfare and protection of women, children, vulnerable persons and other residents of the Territory through initiatives aimed at promoting safer and more inclusive communities.

According to the Permanent Secretary, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is not a private family matter; it is a violation of human rights, a threat to public health and a destroyer of community peace. It robs our girls of education, our women of dignity and our communities of development. No culture, religion or tradition condones it.”

She noted that the inauguration of the committee marked a significant transition from advocacy to practical action, providing a community-based structure to identify risks, prevent violence, support survivors and connect them with the appropriate medical, psychosocial, legal and security services.

The Permanent Secretary, whose speech was delivered by the Director, Community Development Department, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, explained that the committee would serve as the eyes and ears of the community in identifying and preventing violence, while providing a bridge between survivors and relevant government agencies and service providers.

She further charged members to discharge their responsibilities with confidentiality, empathy, integrity and courage, stressing that survivors must be treated with dignity and protected from stigma, discrimination and further harm.

“Do not judge. Do not expose. Protect, refer and follow up. Let every girl in Jiwa knows that if anything happens to her, she has somewhere to run to,” she said.

Hajia Mukhtar assured the committee of the Secretariat’s continued collaboration with the FCT Social Development Secretariat and International IDEA to strengthen its capacity through training on SGBV prevention, survivor-centred response, referral pathways and relevant legislation, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the FCT SGBV Response Protocol.

She also emphasised the importance of linking the committee with the FCT GBV Situation Room, relevant toll-free lines and established service providers to ensure that cases are handled professionally and survivors receive timely assistance.

In her opening remarks, the Senior Programme Manager, ESGBV Programme, International IDEA, Dr. Mufuliat Fijabi, stressed the importance of community structures in preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence, noting that traditional and religious leaders play influential roles in shaping community attitudes and resolving disputes.

She, however, cautioned members against exceeding their responsibilities by attempting to handle serious cases without involving the appropriate authorities.

According to her, community leaders should understand the limits of their roles and refer cases, particularly those involving criminal offences, to trained professionals and relevant government institutions.

Dr. Fijabi emphasised that referring cases to the appropriate authorities does not diminish the authority of traditional or religious institutions but demonstrates their commitment to protecting survivors and ensuring that cases receive proper attention.

She also stressed the need for a survivor-centred approach, urging committee members to listen privately, assess immediate safety concerns, explain available support options and avoid forcing reconciliation in cases of abuse.

The Permanent Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, (SDS) Olubunmi Olowokere, represented by the Acting Director PRS SDS Aina Modupe urged members of the committee to remain impartial in the discharge of their duties, stressing that the fight against gender-based violence requires collective responsibility and must be pursued without fear or favour.

She noted that members must demonstrate fairness, professionalism and objectivity in handling complaints, adding that the protection of individuals from violence is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the committee to the entire community.

In his remarks, HRH Sarkin Jiwa, Alh. Dr. Idris Musa (MFR), represented by the Galadima of Jiwa, Aliu Usman, expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration and its development partners for identifying with the chiefdom and supporting efforts to protect vulnerable members of the community.

He assured the organisers of the traditional institution’s commitment to working with the relevant authorities and partners to promote a safer environment for residents of Jiwa Chiefdom.

Also speaking at the event, Beatrice Pwojok, Director, Gender Department, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat,, encouraged residents to speak out against abuse and report incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly cases affecting children and young people in schools, homes and other community settings.

She explained that the Women Affairs Secretariat remains available to provide guidance and connect survivors with the necessary support services.

Pwojok also drew attention to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) located at Bwari General Hospital, explaining that the centre provides medical care, counselling, documentation and other essential services to survivors of sexual assault, with many services available free of charge.

She encouraged community members to promptly refer survivors to appropriate service providers rather than delay action or attempt to manage serious cases without professional assistance.