OHHEI Workshop Rallies Support For Gender Equality, Special Courts In Delta
Stakeholders Convene on Gender Justice in Asaba
KEY stakeholders in Delta State have called for stronger institutional responses to gender-based violence (GBV) and greater inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making processes.
The call was made during a leadership workshop convened in Asaba by the Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), a non-profit organisation focused on education, health, environmental sustainability and social justice.
The workshop brought together civil society actors, legal experts, gender advocates and government representatives to examine persistent barriers to women’s participation and the growing concern over GBV in communities across the state.
Speaking at the event, OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by consultant Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to take active roles in shaping policies and challenging cultural norms that perpetuate inequality and violence.
He noted that the objective of the workshop was to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence reforms, prevent abuse and promote women’s leadership at all levels.
Women’s Leadership and Structural Barriers
Olayinka emphasised that women frequently face bias and resistance even when they occupy leadership positions. According to him, gender diversity improves governance outcomes by enhancing innovation, accountability and inclusive decision-making.
Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr. Eris Jewo-Ibi, highlighted deep-rooted cultural norms, domestic burdens, political resistance and grassroots-level barriers as key factors limiting women’s participation in public life.
He argued that unless these systemic constraints are addressed, women’s voices will remain underrepresented in critical governance spaces.
Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, reinforced the importance of inclusion, stressing that effective policymaking cannot occur without incorporating women’s lived experiences.
“Women’s perspectives are critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges,” she said, noting that exclusion often leads to ineffective or incomplete solutions.
Justice System Reforms Proposed
A significant highlight of the workshop was the call for stronger legal mechanisms to address sexual and gender-based crimes.
Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined existing penalties for rape and other sexual offences, but expressed concern over delays caused by frequent adjournments in court proceedings.
She advocated for the establishment of specialised sexual offences courts in Delta State to ensure expedited trials and improved protection for survivors.
Participants agreed that delayed justice often discourages victims from pursuing legal remedies and weakens public trust in the justice system.
Addressing Root Causes of GBV
Facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited access to education and low self-esteem as major drivers of gender-based violence.
They warned that GBV carries profound social, physical and psychological consequences, while also imposing economic costs on families and communities.
The workshop concluded with renewed commitment from stakeholders to strengthen advocacy, support survivors and advance gender equality across Delta State.
Organisers described the engagement as part of a broader strategy to place women’s leadership and safety at the centre of sustainable development efforts.
