FIC Report (Abia State) – As part of the activities to herald Global attention on the need to end harmful cultural practices against Women and Girls, Abia State Fifty-Fifty Action Women in collaboration with Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has organized a walk to commemorate the 2022 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The event which commenced from 25th of November held at Umuahia, Abia with the Theme “Unite! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls” officially kick-starts the 16 days of Activism against genders based Violence (SGBV) across the World.
The Women Aid Collective, (WACOL), 50-50 Action Women, Abia State also collaborated with Women Organisations in Abia State which include Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Religious Groups, NCWS, PG in Communities, POWA, NOAWA, TUC, CSOs, Market Women, FIDA etc.
They also used the occasion to organise a 100 Women March in Umuahia to create awareness on the increasing spate of violence against Women and Girls in our contemporary society.
The Women carried banners and placards bearing different messages bordering on their demands.
Some of them read
“Effective Implementation of the VAPP and all existing Laws criminalizing VAWG, especially Harmful widowhood practices,
“Effective implementation by all Communities of the states of emergency on VAWG declared by the Nigerian Governors Forum (2020), “Communities with immediate effect to integrate the Supreme Court Judgement on the Right of Girl-child to property inheritance into their constitution”.
Others are,
“All communities to include Women and girls into leadership positions of community governance structures such as Cabinet, Town Union and Youth Wing – through more inclusive processes for elective classes clearly spelt out in the Constitution.
“Say Nọ to Violence Against Women and Girls”…
Stop Gender Based Violence, Say No To Sexual Abuse, My Body IS NOT FOR SALE, I HAVE RIGHT TO Be Educated, Train A Girl Child, Train A Nation, Females Have Rights To Inheritance, Say No To Female Genital Mutilation etc.
Speaking during the event, the Leader of the Group, Lady Ugo Kalu stressed the need to protect the rights ọf Women and Girls adding that the State Governor has done well in signing the VAPP law, 2020 and the recently passed House ọf Assembly Female Inheritance Bill by the Speaker, Rt. Họn. Chinedum Orji.
She explained that the March is aimed at raising awareness on the spate of violence against females in the society. She called on all Stakeholders as well as Traditional Rulers and Government to take more effective action to stop violence against Women, and Girls especially harmful cultural practices.
She maintained that the Girl -child needs protection because of her sensitiveness to the happenings around her. Adding that the Organisation has been executing a lot of programs aimed at empowering and protecting Women in the State.
Highlight of the Event was the Walk by over a hundred Women Organizations including NAWOJ round the Town ọf Umuahia.
