Luka Samari
In a remarkable demonstration of compassion and social justice, the Akwa Ibom State Government, in collaboration with the Centre for Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV), is building a dignified two-bedroom home for a homeless widow who had been living in a makeshift shelter constructed from nylon sheets and sticks in Ika Local Government Area.
This life-changing intervention is part of CERSDOV’s broader campaign to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) through direct community action and advocacy. The widow’s plight was discovered during a four-day stakeholders’ sensitization and training workshop organized by CERSDOV and supported by the Norwegian Government through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria.
“When we first saw where she was living, it broke our hearts,” said Emem Udo, a program officer with CERSDOV. “No one should be subjected to such conditions. This home is not just a shelter—it’s a restoration of dignity.”
The nearly completed house stands in sharp contrast to the harsh, unstable structure the widow previously called home. Beyond bricks and mortar, the new residence represents safety, privacy, and renewed hope for a woman long forgotten by society.
For years, she endured extreme weather, insecurity, and social exclusion—her living conditions a symbol of the broader neglect faced by vulnerable women in marginalized communities.
The project was formally presented during a community outreach to Ikot Akpan Okure, where traditional leaders, civil society representatives, and local stakeholders pledged continued support for at-risk individuals and renewed efforts to end harmful cultural practices.
“This is more than just a building,” said Prof. Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf, Executive Director of CERSDOV. “It is a visible commitment to justice and solidarity. I thank the Akwa Ibom State Government for standing with us to make this possible. Every person deserves to live with dignity.”
The initiative sends a powerful message: real advocacy for women’s rights must lead to real, transformative action.
As the home nears completion, CERSDOV hopes the story will spark further grassroots efforts to tackle gender injustice and uplift those most in need.
“For too long, women like her have lived in the shadows,” said Pastor Idongesit Elijah, a participant at the workshop. “Today, she is not just seen—she is valued. And that is how real change begins.”
South South Times . 