Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) has called for stronger partnerships and sustained investment in survivor-centred services to protect women and girls affected by gender-based violence (GBV).
The call was highlighted during a visit by the Director General, West Africa, Global Affairs Canada, Ms Emi Furuya, and her delegation to the CWEENS Kamkpe Shelter in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The delegation was accompanied by the ActionAid Nigeria team, led by its Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, and CWEENS National Coordinator and Executive Director, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam.
During the visit, CWEENS highlighted the critical role of safe shelters in providing protection, psychosocial support, referrals and pathways to recovery and reintegration for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The organisation stressed that effective responses to GBV must go beyond immediate protection to include sustained support that enables survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity, safety and renewed hope.
CWEENS explained that every survivor has unique needs and experiences, making it essential for interventions to respect individual choices, protect confidentiality and prioritise safety and dignity.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in strengthening the response to sexual and gender-based violence.
According to the organisation, stronger partnerships are necessary to improve referral pathways, expand access to essential services and ensure that survivors receive timely and appropriate assistance.
CWEENS expressed appreciation to Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria for their interest in its work, noting that engagements of this nature provide opportunities to deepen understanding of community-level interventions and identify areas for stronger collaboration.
The organisation said it looked forward to working with Global Affairs Canada and other partners to expand access to safe, dignified and responsive shelter services across the states where it operates.
CWEENS combats gender-based violence through survivor support, shelter services, psychosocial care, empowerment initiatives and leadership development programmes for women and girls.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening protection systems and ensuring that survivors have access to the support they need to heal, recover and rebuild their lives.