By Lawrence Nwimo
Civil societies Organizations, Media Practitioners, Community/Religious leaders and other state and non-state actors have declared their readiness to combat rape and other sexual crimes against women in Anambra State.
The stakeholders made their positions known after signing agreements to join forces to eradicate gender-based violence in the state, shortly after GBV stakeholders round table meeting in Awka, the state capital.
OrientDaily reports that their decision to team up in the fight was informed by societal ills which has subjected women to pervasive abuse, deprivation and intimidation in the society which according to them, deprives survivors their dignity and pride.
Addressing newsmen at the event, the Child Protection Network (CPN) Chairperson and RoLAC consultant, Mrs Lovet Uju said the meeting was part of the collaboration to get the fight against gender based violence to all the grassroots. She also stated that Stakeholders meeting was first among the series of activities marking the 16 days activism, themed: “Orange The World; End Violence Against Women Now.”
Uju who unveiled the line of activities to newsmen said the activism calls for a collective spotlight on the pervasiveness of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the communities as well as taking cogent actions to stop the crimes.
According to her, rape and other forms of gender violence inflict huge economic, political and social losses on individuals, households and the state in entirety, been obstacles to achieving equality, development and fulfillment of women and girl’s human rights.
Mrs Uju who expressed that the event was part of the European Union Funded Rule of Law and Anti -Corruption (RoLAC) programme opined that preventive approaches needs to be adopted to quench the growing menace against women in the society.
“Given that he der-based violence is rooted in gender-based power inequalities and regressive gender norms, we must focus on transforming gender relations and social norms. We must empower women educationally, economically and politically to exercise their rights, choices and decision-making. We must ensure that those who commit rape are brought to justice and thus end the culture of impunity.”
While Uju lauded government’s progress at addressing the crimes, she said various committees of the RoLAC are committed to working with other stakeholders to support the government to eradicate the societal evil.
She informed that the event was deliberate to pull forces together in the fight to end violence against women which, according to her, would be nurtured to deliver robust access to justice for GBV survivors in the state.
Earlier in a remark, RoLAC State Lead and programme Coordinator, Mrs Josephine Onah, explained that the 16 days activism was in commemoration of annual International Human Rights Day which comes up on December 10, 2021.
She reemphasized that RoLAC Programme in the state remained all-inclusive and seeks for the full implementation of Child Rights Law, Violence Against Persons Protection and Disabilities Rights Law respectively.
Orient Daily gathered that advocacy meetings with 21 community leaders, testimonials of GBV survivors, sensitization of the grassroots to educate people their rights and actions on incidences of abuse, among others would form the 16 days activism in the state.