Nigeria: Edo state is celebrating International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the Girl Child. Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues (MSDGI), Christabel Ekwu started 16 Days of Activism against Gender based violence.
Sixteen days of Activism is a widely practiced phenomenon and is being observed in many countries all over the world. Edo state leadership recently hosted road walk around the Benin metropolis, the platform to start the sixteen day initiative.
The Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues (MSDGI), Christabel Omoh Ekwu was accompanied by the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Joshua Omokhodion in the initiative. She led staff of MSDGI and other relevant stakeholders on the road walk
The aim of the sixteen day event was to preceed International Human Rights Day and to sensitise the masses on the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
Ekwu while leading the crusade against vices in the society, called on relevant stakeholders to collaborate in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the State. She encouraging women to speak out when they find themselves in any abusive relationship.
The Commissioner stated that perpetrators of GBV will not go unpunished when they are caught. She made this announcement at the Oba Market in Benin City. Additionally, she addressed the severity of the heinous crimes and informed the people that any involvement could attract sentence of life imprisonment.
Ekwu added that the Law condemns in strong terms, the practice of female genital mutilation. She asserted that all the parties involved in such practice would not be spared when they are apprehended.
“Today is the International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girl Child. It is a day set aside to listen to the cry of that woman and that girl child, who has been going through a lot.” Said Commissioner Ekwu.
She added, “I have come to tell you that there is good news for them because we have a Governor who is committed to fight for your rights.”
The Commissioner discourage all manner of ill treatment that is meted on widows after they lose their spouses. She described it as inhuman treatment. She advised Edo residents to stay away from women and girl child related crimes such as:
- Rape
- Molesting Women
- Denying the girl child education
- Depriving women the right to peaceful association
- Abandonment of children amongst others.