By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Natiional Orientation Agency (NOA), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and Heir Women Hub has sensitised Abuja residents on the need of end Gender Based Viiolence in the country.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Walk to end GBV took participants from the NOA Headquarters to the Old Paraded Ground in Abuja.
Mrs Esther Akor, a Deputy Director in the department of Public Enlightment and Mass Mobilisation of the Agency, said the walk is a round off activity for the Agency’s 16 days activities which started on Nov.25
“The 16 days of activitism usually starts from Nov. 25 to Dec.10 every year. We have our staff and partners participating in the walk.
“Our call is that, when you see something, say something. Our culture of silence should be stopped. When they see issues like female genital mutilation, child marriage, wife battering, sexual harassment, etc, we should report.
“For the girl-child, consider your eduction and future. If you fall victim of genital mutilation or sexual harassment, speak out, let people around you know what is happening to you.
“If the abuse is happening in your house, reach out to people outside of your home to help you,” Akor said.
Also speaking, Mr Anthony Eromosele, the Special Assistant on Partnership and Programmes to the Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the essence of the road walk waas to lend voice to the millions of people around the world advocating for end to GBV.
“And as an Agency, we are also marking the World Human Right Day. We are also lending our voice to say no to bullying.
“We call on each and everyone to speak out. When you see something, say something.
“School authorities should not dismiss any child that report GBV or bullying. The schools should give lasting ears to children, so that they would be free to report GBV issues.
“Our advocvacy is not soppping here, we are going online to speak about and against GBV and also to use our social media handles and platforms to sensitise the public.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Heir Women Hub, Ms Aunli Aniebo said that the government should ensure effective implementation of the policies and programmes concerning GBV.
“There is need to put more action in our words. The government should take this matter seriously. We have to end GBV, the data in Nigeria is high; we have high rate of out of school children.
“Female genital mutilation still goes on in our country, sexual harassment in work place still goes on in our country, sex for grades is still on. The government should act now, because it can happen to anybody.
Meanwhile, Mrs Nnenna Emedolibe, Programme Officer at the NCWS said GBV is a violation of human rights, “we are not taking it for granted, and there is not excuse whatsoever for violation.
“What we are telling the women is that, this is the time to speak out. Don’t close your mouth anymore; when you see something, say something.
“The men who are into violation of female children and other vices should stop, the law is there and will catch up with them.
“On bullying, there’s a circular from Federal Ministry of Education to all schools to ensure that bullying is not tolerated and severe consequences be meted to culprit,” Emedolibe said.
One of the participants of the Walk, Miss Esther Aseobo, a 300 level student of Computer Science at the Benue State University said God created Women and as such they should not be discriminated.
She admonished students to report GBV to the authority, adding that the school authority should set up a security apparatus to checkmate issues of GBV in high institutions of learning. (NAN)