Janet Samuel, Abuja
The National Council for Women Society NCWS has solicited for more allocation from government agencies and other stakeholders to invest and Empower Nigeria women in other to prevent women and girls against violence
The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau made the call in Abuja while speaking with Newsmen at an occasion to mark the 16 days Acrivism to end violence against women and girls in collaboration with the development Research and Project Center (dRPC) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with a theme: “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, which kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, is an annual event that runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day, calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Hajiya Adamu-Lau, who emphasizef on the need for joint efforts and strategic investments to eradicate the pervasive issue of gender-based violence worldwide, called for unity and dedication to building a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
She noted that the challenges affecting women has created a negative effect on their development thereby widen the gap of gender inequality in all areas.
The National President stressed the critical role of investments in education, awareness campaigns, and community engagement to create environments fostering equality, respect, and safety.
She added that “beyond our demands for good governance, more strategic actions are required to end insecurity.
Adamu-Lau who listed their demands among others to include; appointment of more women in leadership, the review and passage of gender bills, a supplementary budget for the implementation of crucial laws and policies, and increased protection for women and girls in educational institutions.
The Director General of the Mariam Babangida National Center for Women Development (NCWD) Dr Asabe Bashiru in her remark congratulated Women on the special day, urging the men to give women a chance by Empowering them to get engaged and be committed to activities that will prevent them from abuse and violence.
In a related development, the NCWS in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in a one day training of trainers (TOT) for NCWS Officials and affiliate members on the ills of Female Genital Mutilation to commemorate the 2023 16 days of acrivism and the need to end the practice.
The Gender/Female Genital Mutilation FGM Analyst, UNFPA, Karima Bungudu, said that the aim of the training was to reach out to communities and convincing them to end FGM practice.
“This is a critical moment for us to come together during this training of trainers section to be able to build capacity and knowledge, so that when we go back to our states, we are able to mobilize at the grassroots and have an FGM-free Nigeria
Ealier in her opening remark, the National President of NCWS urged States Presidents to step down lessons learnt to the grassroot by using the opportunity to eradicate the dangerous practice in the communities
While saying that the theme called for investment on GBV as part of investment in human capacity development she added that the training aim to improve Nigerian women with knowledge and skills that will support the fight against FGM.
