Gender-Based Violence: NAWOJ urges NGOs, faith-based organisations to support plight of women
Story from Ibraheem Hamza
The Niger State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has called on non-governmental and faith-based organizations to support the plight of women in curbing gender-based violence in Nigeria.
The Organization paid a visit to a specialised Secondary School for women in Minna the Niger State Capital as part of its activities marking the 16 Days activism against Gender-based Violence.
Hajia Rabi Bello, The Chairperson of Women Journalists in Niger State who led her team to the Women Day College, Minna said, ” the visit was to create awareness and to sensitise the Women students on how to participate in bringing an end to various forms of abuses on women within their communities “.
“This School was established for married women and to respond to the needs of women who were thrown out of school as a result of either early marriage or pregnancy at infancy or early withdrawal from school”.
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Hajia Bello who further condemned the attitude of the societies on negligence towards the plight of Women and Children appealed to community leaders and faith-based organizations on the need to sensitise local religious and traditional leaders on the exact religious perspective on the right of women rather than using primordial excuses in
dealing with affairs concerning Women.
The Niger State chairperson of Women Journalists who also commended the efforts of NGO’s and other Civil rights organizations in the state on their activities on gender-based rights in the state urged politicians at the state and the local level to always reciprocate tireless efforts of women during electioneering campaigns and elections, by empowering them, especially in the rural communities.
“Women plays tremendous roles in Nigeria’s politics both during campaigns and elections, yet don’t benefit from the services of the politicians “.
Ms Dorothy Nuhu Aken’onva, The Executive Director of the International Center for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, who was part of the NAWOJ delegation to the Women’s College mentioned that the visit to the Women’s college was to sensitised them on Gender-based violence and the reasons for marking the International Day on Violence against Women.
“So that we can empower them to speak out when there are infringements on their rights as Women, and also pass down the same to their children to protect them against Gender-based violence”.
Also, the representative of Women’s Rights advancements and Protection Alternative “WRAPA” Mrs Laurice Zainab Ndagi, was also part of the NAWOJ delegation to the Women’s College for making the 16 days activism against gender-based violence, addressed the Women Students on the roles of her organization and other NGO’s in curtailing gender-based violence in the state and the country at large.
Both activists however commended the women for the educational enrollment and further urged them to always speak out on issues regarding any form of violence against women for necessary action.
The 16 Days of activism against Gender-based Violence which is designed for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations, is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November and runs till 10 December.
The global theme for the 2021 event is “Orange the World: End violence against women now!”.
