The End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence programme establishes governance architecture

The European Union-funded Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme has strengthened its governance framework with the inauguration of the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and Programme Technical Committee (PTC), establishing the strategic leadership and technical coordination needed to drive a nationally led response to sexual and gender-based violence across the Federal Capital Territory and the focal states of Benue, Kaduna, and Oyo.

The Programme Steering Committee, the programme's highest governance body, brings together senior representatives of the European Union, International IDEA, government, and civil society to provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability, and guide implementation. At its inaugural meeting, members approved the programme's Workplan and Logframe, reinforcing alignment with Nigeria's national priorities.

Complementing this role, the 21-member Programme Technical Committee brings together technical experts and representatives from government institutions, the judiciary, law enforcement, civil society, disability inclusion organisations, and development partners to strengthen coordination, provide technical guidance, and ensure coherent implementation across the programme's three components.

Speaking at the inaugurations, Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the ESGBV Programme as an important opportunity to strengthen the country's response to sexual and gender-based violence. European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, restated the EU's commitment to supporting Nigeria through strong partnerships, while International IDEA's Head of Nigeria Programmes, Danladi Plang, urged members to see their roles as a national responsibility to protect survivors' rights and dignity. Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit, reiterated the Federal Ministry of Justice's commitment as a co-owner of the initiative and emphasized the importance of collective leadership and accountability.

The inauguration of both committees establishes the governance architecture that will steer implementation of the ESGBV Programme, solidifying a mutual objective to sustained leadership, coordinated action, and collective accountability. With these structures now in place, the programme is well positioned to strengthen prevention efforts, improve access to justice and survivor-centred support services, and deliver lasting impact for women, girls, children, and other vulnerable groups across Nigeria.