20th August 2025 – The Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice has announced that it will hold a capacity-building training for women’s groups in Otukpo, Benue State, beginning on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The initiative, which is part of the SBS Scale-Up Project supported by the Ford Foundation, will focus on leadership, entrepreneurship development, and strengthening systems to identify early warning signs of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
According to a statement from the project focal person, Mr. Nyong Essien, “the workshop will bring together women leaders from grassroots organizations, equipping them with practical skills to strengthen their leadership capacity, enhance economic empowerment, and contribute to community-led prevention of SGBV.”
He noted that women play a vital role in promoting gender justice and building safer communities. The program is designed to ensure that more women gain the knowledge and resources needed to improve their participation in decision-making and community development.
The SBS Movement explained that this initiative is part of its broader strategy to empower faith-based, traditional, and community structures across Benue and Kano States. The goal is to prevent and respond effectively to SGBV while advancing gender equality.
Citizens have also been encouraged to follow the training online through Centre LSD’s official social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
The Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice is recognized as a global faith movement dedicated to ending gender injustice.
In Nigeria, the organization continues to expand its work in Benue and Kano States to strengthen institutional and community responses, while also promoting economic empowerment and safe environments.