By DADA AYOKHAI
Women Journalists in Edo under the Nigerian Association of women journalists, NAWOJ, recently joined their counterpart across the world to mark this year International day for the elimination of violence against women.
The international day against gender violence are commemorated around the world, providing individuals and groups a chance to mobilize and call attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls.
In Edo state, the umbrella body of women’s journalists, NAWOJ organized a rally which took to strategic locations in Benin metropolis to draw attention of the public and stakeholders on the need to end the gender violence.
The theme for this year is UNITE! INVEST TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.
This year’s event is marked with “16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence” which kicked off on 25th of November and it is expected to end on the 10th of December.
The Women’s body led by the state chairperson, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan displayed various placards with inscriptions “PUSH FORWARD ACT TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS, CHANGE THE STORY, CREATE A SAFE FUTURE, STOP PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE AND CONTROLLING BEHAVIORS ON WOMEN amongst others.
According to Adesuwa Ehimuan there is a need to encourage women in the society to get empowered by engaging in legitimate source of living. She similarly urged parents and guardian to support the girl child in her academics to avoid distrustion in their academic through unwanted pregnancies which could put an end to their educational carrer.
She further stated that women and girls should always speak up and speak out where ever they are abused so they don’t die in silence.
In his message, the Chairman, NUJ, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe who was part of the kick off ceremony of the rally re-echoed the need for Government at all levels to provide a well enabling environment for Women and Girls.
Also, a women’s leader in the state, Dr. Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, said gone are the days when children are raped and harassed and the perpetrators
go unpunished.
The rally which took off at the NUJ Press Center, Benin City made a stop-over at the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, where they were received warmly by the Commissioner of the Ministry, Mrs Christabel Omoh Ekwu, represented by Mrs Irenosen Ihensekhien, Director of Gender Issues (MSDGI).
The commissioner appreciates the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ Edo state for joining forces with the Ministry in celebrating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
A Cross Section of women at the rally shared their views on the importance of the event by calling on agencies and the media to help in the fight against the frequent molestation of women and girls.
