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COMBATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT:ECOWAS STRENGTHENS CAPACITIES OF IVORIAN ACTORS
COMBATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
ECOWAS STRENGTHENS CAPACITIES OF IVORIAN ACTORS
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Gender Development (CCDG), in partnership with the Ivorian Ministry of Women, Family and Children, has initiated a national training workshop on the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual
harassment.
The programme, which was initiated between Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 June 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire is part of the implementation of the regional strategy adopted in 2021 to eradicate violence
against women and girls in the community.
The three-day meeting brought together judicial, health and social actors with the aim of strengthening their skills and coordinating a holistic approach to the care of victims of violence. The aim was to strengthen participants’ skills in the
prevention, detection and management of GBV and sexual harassment.
Speaking at the opening, Moussa Diarassouba, Chief of Staff representing the Minister for Women, stressed the urgency of taking action. “These overwhelming figures are voices crying out for justice, redress and protection. Inaction is no longer an option,” he warned.
He called on judicial actors to guarantee access to justice and fight against impunity, including health professionals to become more involved in the medical and psychological care of victims, and
social workers to support survivors in their social and economic reintegration.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Fanta Cissé, praised the efforts of the Ivorian government, which have enabled Côte d’Ivoire to take the lead in the fight
against GBV. She did not fail to call on everyone to mobilise more strongly against the multiple forms of violence, which have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘The challenges are immense and require the combined efforts of all to achieve zero tolerance for gender-based
violence and sexual harassment,’ she said.
For her part, the Director of the CCDG, Ms Sandra Oulaté-Fattoh, said that professionals and other actors have a key role to play in the early recognition, appropriate treatment and support
of survivors of such violence. “To fulfil this role effectively, you need adequate training to enable you to recognise the signs and symptoms of gender-based violence and sexual harassment, even in cases where victims do not explicitly disclose their situation. This includes awareness of the
different forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic, as well as the cultural and social contexts that influence these situations,” she emphasised.
As a reminder, in the ECOWAS region, more than 10% of women experience physical, sexual or emotional violence, often within the family. This situation has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen cases of GBV skyrocket, with an increase of up to 50% in
some countries in the region. Côte d’Ivoire alone recorded 9,607 cases of gender-based violence in 2024, affecting 7,950 women and 3,290 children, according to official figures.
COMBATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
ECOWAS STRENGTHENS CAPACITIES OF IVORIAN ACTORS
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
News
Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4
Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled terrorist attacks in parts of Sokoto State, rescuing a driver and preventing further abductions.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on Sept. 3, at about 6:12 p.m., troops of 8 Division, while on a fighting patrol along Sabon Birnin–Isa Road, engaged terrorists who attempted to block the route.
“The terrorists were forced to flee after a fierce exchange of fire. Troops rescued a driver conveying frozen fish and assisted in towing his vehicle to Sabon Birnin,” he said.
The source added that later, on the same day at about 11:30 p.m., terrorists invaded Tungar Makera village in Wurno Local Government Area and kidnapped four locals before fleeing.
“Troops pursued the terrorists but could not make contact. However, on Sept. 4, at about 8:55 a.m., locals accosted seven suspected terrorists in Kaura village, Shagari Local Government Area.
“Unfortunately, four of the suspects were lynched by a mob led by Yansakai vigilantes before troops arrived. Troops rescued the remaining three suspects and handed them over to security authorities for further action,” the source said.
Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4
Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested three suspected kidnappers in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 when local vigilantes in Dukku town handed them over to troops on routine patrol along the Rijau–Duku axis.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Mohammed, 30, Babe Sanda, 25, and Buba Matilo, 25.
According to the sources, the suspects confessed to abducting two locals from Dukku town and taking them to a terrorist hideout in Duku Forest.
The suspects are currently in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
Troops repel terrorist attacks in Sokoto, rescue driver, as locals accosted 7 terrorists, killed 4
Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State
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