The Kwara State Government has commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its sustained support in providing care for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advancing the welfare of women, children and adolescents across the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Mrs Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, gave the commendation while receiving a delegation from UNFPA during a courtesy visit to her office in Ilorin. She also welcomed the organisation's decision to recommend Kwara as the flagship state for its 9th Country Programme.

Afolashade praised UNFPA's partnership with the ministry and other government agencies, highlighting key interventions including support for the 2026-2030 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Action Plan, the establishment of an international standard One-Stop Centre and Adolescent-Friendly Corner, the inauguration of a Technical Working Group on GBV, capacity building for ministry staff, and the training of teachers across all 16 local government areas on Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs).

Responding, UNFPA Country Liaison Officer, Madam Abbigail Msemburi, described the ministry as exceptional in implementing the organisation's programmes, noting that the state government's commitment to eliminating GBV and harmful traditional practices informed the recommendation of Kwara as the flagship state for the 9th Country Programme.

She added that the ministry's policies and programmes align with UNFPA's core values and commended the state's human capacity to effectively deliver on assigned responsibilities.

Also speaking, the State Focal Person, Mrs Gloria Enueze, assured that the One-Stop Centre and Adolescent-Friendly Corner would be completed promptly to provide comprehensive support services for survivors of GBV and harmful traditional practices.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at improving the lives of women, children and adolescents in Kwara State.