IWD:AKWA IBOM TAKES STAND AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
By Unyime Bassey (Akwa Ibom)
In commemoration of the 2024 International Women's Day, the African Women Leadership Organization joined forces with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, alongside other organizations, to lead a special walk aimed at raising awareness about the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The march, which started from Ibom Hall and culminated at Barracks Road in Uyo, traversed key areas within the metropolis, serving as a platform to highlight the pressing issue of GBV in Akwa Ibom State.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, underscored the severity of GBV, encompassing various forms of abuse such as sexual molestation, rape and women battering.
Attendees were implored to break the silence surrounding these atrocities and report incidents to relevant authorities, with a stern warning issued against harboring or aiding perpetrators.
Under the theme "Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality through Economic Empowerment," Dr. Adiakpan stressed the importance of collective action in combating GBV, urging the public to invest resources and time towards this cause, emphasizing that united voices can effect change.
She emphasized the need for inclusive programming, urging organizations to involve survivors and ensure no one is left behind, while also advocating for their integration into society and support for their rehabilitation.
Commending Governor Umo Eno for implementing legal frameworks like the VAPP law, Dr. Adiakpan emphasized the significance of women knowing their rights. She also lauded the efforts of the Governor's wife, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, in spreading awareness and ensuring accountability for perpetrators.
She however called for the dissemination of the message to the grassroots level and remote areas of the State, emphasizing the importance of reaching every corner with the campaign against GBV.
The event saw the presence of various organizations including the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), African Women Entrepreneurs Programme (AWEP), and Nigerian For Women Project (NFWP), among others, demonstrating a united front against GBV.
