From Ajiri Daniels, Abuja
Perturbed by the alarming statistics of violence against women and girls, which have shown to be one of the most widespread human rights violations in the country, leading humanitarian organisation, Tabitha Empowerment Centre has renewed calls for greater cooperation to end cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, saying that with greater cooperation, cases of rape and abuse would become history in the country.
This was the submission made at the Center’s End-of-Year/Award event, recently held in Abuja. It was made as a tie-in to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign that began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs through December 10, Human Rights Day.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Empower Her,” the organisation’s Advocacy Officer and In-house Lawyer, Barr. Gladys Emmanuel, said the purpose of the initiative was to support the fight against GBV by equipping widows and vulnerable women with necessary skills to help them earn a better living and take care of their families.
She further explained that the initiative was also an effort on the part of the Center to increase its rights advocacy for individuals and communities, through creation of awareness and sensitisation, sheltering, and offering psychosocial support and legal aid to survivors of gender-based violence.
The event, which was attended by representatives of human rights organisations, anti-gender-based violence community champions selected from communities across the FCT, and community heads, also included an award ceremony for traditional gatekeepers, partners, and individuals who have distinguished themselves in efforts to end gender-based violence. Awards were also given to deserving recipients of Tabitha Empowerment Centre’s “Empower Her Initiative” (scholarship program).
Speaking earlier in her keynote address, Country Director for Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, who was the Guest Speaker for the event, noted that violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation around the world and that its prevalence has been heightened by the intersecting crises of insecurity, economic instability, and other environmental challenges.
“Gender-based violence happens in schools, homes, workplaces, and even on the streets. How do we combat that? Do we keep silent when we see rights being violated? What can we do differently to see that the voices of these women who suffer these crimes are heard and that the perpetrators do not go unpunished?
“Very often, because of our cultural orientation, we tend to shield these sorts of crimes and this leads to a vicious cycle of violations against vulnerable persons. Women who are beaten and suffer violations grow up to become abusers themselves; so, the cycle of abuse continues, and that does not represent our values. Combating this menace starts with creating awareness and educating people about human rights,” Ojigho said.
She therefore urged governments and other stakeholders to coordinate their efforts to combat GBV, from amplifying the voices of survivors and activists to supporting human rights organisations and strengthening anti-gender-based violence initiatives.
Other highlights of the event included the unveiling of anti-gender-based violence materials in six languages (English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Gbagyi), as well as the swearing-in of over 20 anti-gender-based violence community champions from communities in Abuja (Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Kpeyegyi, Dafara, and Angwan Gede).