From Dan Maduagwu ,
Umuahia
In its efforts to ensure the total elimination of violence against women and girl child (VAWG), Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has embarked on a consultative meeting with gatekeepers and duty bearers in Abia State.
Speaking during the meeting, the founder and director of WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo enjoined the traditional rulers who are the chief security officers and custodians of the customs and traditions of their communities to help see to the full implementation of the state of emergency on rape and other sexual offences, especially that she has advocated that all traditional rulers should have a copy of Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP law. The consultative meeting was in collaboration with Ford Foundation.
Ezeilo represented by WACOL Senior Programme Officer, Ijeoma Uzoeshi said that the appreciation of provisions of relevant state laws like the VAPP Law of the Federal and State Governments, the Child’s Right Act/Law, relevant constitutional matter, treaty ratified by Nigerian Government is of significance to women and girls and the status of their implementation is vital. She passionately appealed to the traditional rulers to help eliminate all forms of SGBV and cultural practices that are discriminatory and reinforces violence against women.
In her speech, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Onyinyechi Nwachukwu pointed out that the vision and mission of WACOL is part of the Ministry’s activities geared towards assisting the vulnerable especially stopping gender-based violence in the state. She was represented by the Director Women Affairs Mrs. Chinyere Nwogwugwu,
She pointed out that the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, and her foundation, Vicar Hope and partners have recorded huge successes in broadening institutional response to the gender based challenge, as the State House of Assembly was able to pass the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law. She extolled the commitment of Mrs. Ikpeazu who assisted to the implementation of the VAPP law in Abia state.
In their speeches, leaders of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Harry Ugoala, and Eze Godfrey Onwuka lauded the WACOL for the consultative meeting and assured that the Abia State traditional Institution is always responsive to the fight that will eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence. They pointed out that most of their communities have expunged cultural practices that are inimical to the progress of their various communities, adding that if there exists remnants, they will go back and reason with their subjects and fashion out ways to address them.
