By Gloria Osemudiamhen
The Edo State Government has recorded significant progress in women’s political inclusion, gender-based violence (GBV) response, youth empowerment and efforts to curb irregular migration, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has said.
Anani made the disclosure in an interview at the Government House, Benin City, as the state marked its 35th anniversary. She congratulated the people of Edo State on the milestone and commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what she described as 19 months of development-focused leadership.
According to her, deliberate policies of the present administration have contributed to increased enlightenment and empowerment of women across the state.
She said the government had expanded the appointment of women into political positions while institutionalising affirmative action to promote greater female participation in governance.
Anani described the emergence of three women as candidates for seats in the Edo State House of Assembly as a historic milestone and a reflection of the progress being made in political inclusion.
Tackling Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration
On migration and human trafficking, the Coordinator said the government was tackling the challenges through community engagement, public awareness and skills-development initiatives.
She said the administration, in collaboration with EdoJobs and the Edo State Migration Agency, was promoting safe and legal migration channels while creating more economic opportunities for young people within the state.
Anani identified the Edo Youth Impact Forum and other youth empowerment programmes as key initiatives aimed at keeping young people productively engaged, reducing the pressure to migrate irregularly and retaining talent in Edo.
Stronger Response to Gender-Based Violence
Speaking in her capacity as Chairperson of the Edo State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Anani said the state had intensified efforts to prevent and respond to GBV through sustained advocacy and wider stakeholder engagement.
She said religious organisations, traditional institutions, youth groups and local government councils were being actively involved in the campaign against gender-based violence.
She also highlighted the recent launch of a technology-facilitated GBV policy designed to address emerging forms of abuse, including online sexual crimes, cyberbullying and stalking.
Anani stressed that the government was not opposed to Edo culture and traditions, but would not tolerate harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, the ill-treatment of widows, rape and incest.
According to her, such practices are prohibited under the state’s Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law.
GBV Clubs Established in Schools
As part of preventive measures, Anani disclosed that GBV clubs had been established in primary and secondary schools across the state to educate children and adolescents about their rights, personal safety and available reporting channels.
She urged parents to provide proper guidance and supervision for their children, expressing concern that both perpetrators and victims of GBV were increasingly becoming younger.
The Coordinator also attributed the recent rise in reported cases of gender-based violence largely to increased public awareness and greater confidence in reporting mechanisms, rather than necessarily to an increase in the actual incidence of GBV.
She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a safer and more inclusive society.
“The commitment of this administration is to ensure that Edo State remains safe, inclusive and prosperous for women, youths and all citizens,” she said.
