A coalition of women groups — 100 Women Lobby Group — has expressed concern about what it describes as barbaric killing of a female politician in Kaduna State.
The women also said that situations where female politicians lose their lives in politically motivated circumstances would not be tolerated by womenfolk.
In a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the group decried the killing of Women Leader of the Labour Party (LP) Victoria Chintex in Kaura Local Government of Kaduna State.
The meeting was to sensitise the grassroots women to the need for improved electoral integrity and accountability, according to them.
The event, which has the support of the MacArthur Foundation, is part of its activities to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism.
Mrs Felicia Onibon, the National Coordinator of the group, said that it was important to draw attention of the public to the gruesome act of silencing women.
She said that aside the politically motivated killings, sexual and gender-based violence had continued to be on the increase in the country.
According to her, it is important for women to come together, form a synergy and break the culture of silence around gender-based violence.
She noted that there was need to ensure safety of victims who are mostly women and girls and raise awareness towards creating a violence free society.
Also speaking, Mrs Grace Adayilo, Director, Gender Development, Social Development Secretariat, FCT, called on women to support their fellow women who are faced with one form of sexual and gender-based violence.
“This is the time for us to support ourselves, we also need to educate other women, especially those in the grassroots, on gender-based violence.
“This is a pandemic that needs to be stopped as we cannot continue to lose women because they are scared of leaving their marriage or due to what the society will say.
“We also need to include this issue in our school curriculum at all levels, so that we can enlighten our children on the dangers of gender-based violence,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Ruth Agbo, President, Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), called on women to speak out and end the culture of violence.
She also called on women who are facing one form to sexual and gender-based violence in their homes, to resist the temptation of committing suicide.
NAN reports that the event had in attendance representatives from Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and persons living with disabilities, among other civil society organisations.(NAN)