Janet Samuel, Abuja
In an effort to draw closer to the rural women in the society by making their voices heard, the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) has taken the campaign of Violence against women to Suleja Local Government in Niger State by organizing a debate competition between the students in secondary school.
The Debate competition which had six schools represented was on a topic: violence against women, who is to be blame? the perpetrators or the society, which is part of their activities to mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, that kicks off on 25th of November in collaboration with Better Life for African Rural Women foundation to serve as an opportunity to create public awareness on the worrisome growing trend of domestic violence adversely affecting the lives of children.
Speaking, the National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau tasked education stakeholders to ensure safe learning environment in Nigeria schools and colleges, noting that, to make learning interesting, the school authorities should have zero tolerance for gender base violence
Hajiya Adamu-Lau who emphasized on the need to protect women and girls in the society added that all hands must be on deck to put an end to the ugly threat of human right violation.
“Sadly, the issue of Gender Based Violence cannot be ruled out in our schools. I want to use this opportunity to call on all the stakeholders in education to ensure safe learning environment in our schools. The school authorities must have zero tolerance for gender-based violence in other to make learning more interesting for everyone.
I am proud to say that the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) is working hard to address the issue of domestic violence. We are working to raise awareness on the issues, and we are working to provide support to survivors of domestic violence. We are also working to change the attitudes and beliefs that enable domestic violence.
While calling on families and individuals to strive towards raising their children in a violence free home, she advised parents to train their children to respect others right
The National President who praised the Chairperson of Better life Programme for the African Rural Women Mrs Aisha Babangida for the sponsorship of the prizes for the winners of the event, also appreciated all the schools represented for participating.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of better life foundation, Mrs Babangida, represented by Aisha Abu Urged the students participating in the debate to use their words wisely to unite the people and harness change in the society
Mrs Babangida calls on everyone to stand united and fight the war to achieve a violence free society for women and girls
Earlier in her welcome address, the Niger State President of NCWS, Mrs Justina Yakubu who appreciated the National President for her support and corporation, commended everyone for gracing the occasion, urged the students to make use of their talent at all time
The high point of the event was the presentation of certificates and Cash Prizes to the winners of the debate, where the first position went to the Government Secondary School Gauraka, with the best speaker, Eberechukwu Godwin, who was decorated by the National President as the Ambassador of violence against women in Suleja Niger State, the second position is Community Secondary School, Suleja and the third position was Government Secondary School Gidan Gaya
