NCWS Nigeria Leads National Drive Against Gender-Based Violence Capacity Building Workshop at Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro Abuja.
On the 5th and 6th of May, 2026, Wells Apartment in Abuja, became a hub of strategic dialogue and action as key health women leaders gathered for a high-level Capacity Building Workshop on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for Women and Children in Nigeria. The impactful event, convened by Dr. Salma, brought together women leaders in the health sector, policymakers, and advocates from across the country. a charge by the National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), alongside other distinguished figures including Dame Pauline Tallen and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile. Centered on driving systemic change for gender protection and fostering safer communities, the workshop served as a critical platform to strengthen coordinated efforts against GBV nationwide.
In her keynote remarks, the National President reaffirmed NCWS Nigeria’s historic and strategic role as the umbrella body of women’s organizations in the country and its affiliation with the International Council of Women (ICW) since 1958. She emphasized that this global linkage reinforces the Council’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the protection of women and children from all forms of abuse. Drawing from practical experience, she highlighted a grassroots intervention carried out by NCWS in Nasarawa State, where young girls were engaged in open dialogue sessions with trained resource persons. The exercise revealed a troubling but important insight: many survivors of abuse remain silent due to fear of disbelief, stigma, or blame from their own families, underscoring the urgent need for more responsive and supportive home environments.
The workshop further highlighted the strength of NCWS’s expansive structure, which extends to the ward level across Nigeria, enabling sustained advocacy and intervention even in the most remote communities. Princess Azura stressed that meaningful progress in combating GBV requires intentional collaboration between national leaders and grassroots women, with a strong emphasis on listening, trust-building, and inclusive solution design. Through interactive sessions and expert-led trainings, participants were equipped with practical tools to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to GBV cases within their respective institutions and communities.
In her closing remarks, the National President reaffirmed NCWS Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its nationwide network across all 8,809 wards to intensify advocacy, strengthen community engagement, and ensure that no woman or child is left behind. The workshop stands as a significant milestone in the collective effort to build a safer, more just, and equitable society where the rights and dignity of every individual are protected.
Princess Edna D. D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku),
National President,
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria.
