By Isaac Mission 

Women’s rights organisations in Enugu State have received fresh training aimed at strengthening their capacity to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and build a more effective women’s movement.

The capacity-building programme was organised by the Women Information Network (WINET) in collaboration with the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement (AIPLA).

The one-day training, which took place at Residency Hotel in Enugu, formed part of the project, “Strengthening Women’s Rights Organisations in Nigeria for Gender-Based Violence Prevention.”

The initiative, supported by the Ford Foundation and implemented by AIPLA across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, seeks to equip women-led organisations with the knowledge and tools needed to advance gender equality, social justice, as well as women’s political and economic empowerment.

WINET is responsible for implementing the programme across the five Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

Speaking at the event, WINET Executive Director, Mrs Miriam Menkiti, said the initiative was designed to promote a stronger and more coordinated women’s movement capable of responding effectively to gender-based violence and other challenges confronting women.

Menkiti explained that the programme was also intended to strengthen collaboration among women-led organisations and improve their ability to advocate for women’s rights.

She disclosed that WINET had begun engaging relevant government officials through advocacy visits aimed at creating awareness about the project and encouraging government partnership.

According to her, bringing together leaders of women’s rights organisations in Enugu was an opportunity to improve their skills in movement building, GBV prevention, feminist leadership and intergenerational leadership.

Menkiti commended the Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, for supporting programmes focused on women and girls.

She also appreciated AIPLA for its support and welcomed the organisation’s Programme Manager, Siya Odette Marie Louise Ntab, who attended the training from Abuja.

Ntab described the exercise as an important stage in the implementation of the women’s movement project, noting that it was the first in a series of cascade trainings planned across the country.

She explained that the sessions followed a national Training of Trainers programme held in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Ntab said AIPLA was encouraged that the knowledge acquired during the national training was now being shared with women’s rights organisations and other stakeholders in the Southeast.

She also highlighted the Strengthening Women’s Movement in Nigeria manual used during the programme, describing it as a practical guide for helping women-led organisations establish stronger, sustainable and interconnected movements.

The manual addresses issues including collective leadership, collaboration, advocacy and practical approaches to preventing gender-based violence through coordinated action.

Ntab encouraged participants to see the programme as more than a conventional training exercise. She urged them to use the opportunity to develop lasting relationships, exchange experiences and form partnerships that would continue after the project ends.

The participants were taken through sessions covering women’s movement building, feminist and intergenerational leadership, coalition building, movement sustainability and action planning.

Ntab also disclosed that other activities under the Ford Foundation-supported project included the production of the short film A Tray of Locust Bean, which is intended to amplify women’s voices and raise awareness about gender-based violence.

She added that AIPLA had produced the Feminist Reader on Feminism in Nigeria to encourage greater learning and discussion around feminist ideas and practices in the country.

Declaring the training open on behalf of Commissioner Enih, a ministry official, Mrs Esther Mbah, praised WINET for its continued focus on issues affecting women and its efforts to tackle gender-based violence.

Mbah assured the organisation of the ministry’s continued cooperation and encouraged participants to engage fully with the sessions so they could maximise the benefits of the programme.

Among the key presentations was a session on Understanding Women’s Movement in Nigeria, delivered by Menkiti, alongside discussions on leadership, coalition building, sustainability and developing practical action plans.