NGO calls for protection of women’s rights

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Abantu for Development, has advocated the strengthening of all government policies that protect the rights of the woman.

The call according to the NGO is to safeguard women from all forms of violence directed at them.

Speaking at a rally on ending violence against women in Kachia, Kaduna state, the field manager of the NGO, Mrs. Alice Ajeibi said the call became necessary seeing the current experiences of many women in the communities.

She said government must fine-tune all conventions, international treaties and protocols to ensure effective adherence in the country.

“Some women suffer in silence, but want the opportunity to express themselves especially on issues in the home – most of them hardly have such opportunities. Let there be an end to all forms of violence whether domestic or external like wife battery, rape, denying them the right to education and the likes.”

The field manager asked Nigerian women to vie for political offices to ensure evolution of women friendly policies in the country, especially those bordering on women’s health and women empowerment. She praised the efforts of women groups in the area for building capacity of their members in the area of literacy and handcrafts.

Also speaking, Leader of ‘Women of Hope Group’, Mrs. Susan Aduwak lamented the attitude of some men who fail in their God given responsibility of providing for their families, saying God will hold them accountable.

Mrs. Aduwak who described the campaign as timely, said women of hope would continue the campaign for an end to all forms of violence against women, noting that women deserve better treatment in the society.

“If women were given the opportunity to contribute their quota in the homes, the society would be a better place.” She stressed. She frowned at attitude of some husbands who relegate their wives in the home in preference to children, urging such men to embrace their wives.