By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
As part of the activities to call global attention to the need to end harmful cultural practices against women and girls, the Women Aid Collective, WACOL 50-50 Action Women, Delta State in collaboration with a coalition of women NGOs in Delta State has organised a 100 women march in Asaba, to create awareness on the increasing spate of violence against women and girls in our contemporary society.
The event which kick-starts the sixteen days of activism against gender based violence is part of the global commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 2022 with the theme: “Unite! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls which holds on 25th November annually.
Marching from Asaba Events Centre through Maryam Babangida Way to the State Secretary with their banner and placards bearing different messages of their demands such as “stop all forms of harmful cultural practices against women and girls”; “we support & advocate for women rights”; and “let’s work together. Leave no girl or woman behind” among others.
The women, dressed in orange and white to symbolise their passion to bring about a change of status quo were received by principal officers of relevant state Ministries and Departments at the State Secretariat, Asaba.
Presenting their demand charter, the Coordinator, Delta North chapter of WACOL, Mrs Patricia Gbemudu called for an effective implementation of the VAPP law; enforcement of emergency on VAWG, by all communities; immediate integration of the Supreme Court Judgement on the Rights of the Girl Child to property inheritance into their Constitution, among other demands.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community & Social Development, Delta State, Mrs
Flora Alatan, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas commended WACOL for drawing the public’s attention to issues that affect women and girls, whom she described as vulnerable groups that need to be protected by both the government and the society.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Ms Ngozi Mogbolu expressed delight with WACOL for championing the protection of women, pointing out that when the women are protected, the family and the future generations are protected and assured of her ministry’s support to the course of women and girls.
On her part, the Director of Sexual Offences, Delta State, Barr. Uche Akamagwuna stressed the need to protect the rights available to women and girls, adding that the State Governor has done well in signing the VAPP law, 2020.
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