By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The wife of Delta State Governor, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori has expressed joy with the concerted efforts by critical stakeholders to wage war against all forms of sexual and gender based violence.
The flag-off ceremony held at the Office of the First Lady, Delta State attracted faith based organizations (FBOs), community based organizations (CBOs), International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, and other groups championing the course of women and girls.
While promising to partner with the stakeholders, the Delta State First Lady described the 16 Days Activism against sexual and gender based violence as a call to action in the fight against SGBV, adding that all hands must be on deck to curb the ugly menace.
Briefing the Press and other stakeholders at the Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba Delta State, the Commissioner For Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Evang. Dr. Princess Pat Ajudua noted that the 16 Days Activism is a global campaign established by the United Nations to raise awareness on issues of sexual and gender based violence, evaluate the programmes and policies by both government and stakeholders for the elimination of SGBV across the globe.
The campaign which runs from 25th November to 10th December every year has it’s theme this year as: “accelerating actions to end gender-based violence and femicide: leaving no one behind”.
Dr. Ajudua explained that Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development not only provides a rallying point for all partners in the SGBV space in raising awareness on the negative impacts of violence and and abuse against women and girls but helps to influence behavioral change against harmful practices and securing political and legal commitment to the total eradication of gender based violence.
She condemned the conspiracy of silence by parents and relatives of victims as well as that of religious and community leaders, describing that as a major set back in winning the fight against SGBV.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas and the Chairperson of FIDA, Delta State, Barr. Stella-Maris Mejulu among others, appealed to those reporting incidents of SGBV to keep the evidence in tact to enable the legal team achieve more success.
Questions and answers featured at the Press Briefing.
