By Stanley Onyekwere
An Abuja based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Divine Women of Purpose Association (DWOPA), has stressed the need to strategically tackle the challenges of gender based violence survivors, through empowerment, rehabilitation and reintegration into the mainstream of the society.
This move, is coming against the backdrop of the marking of the 2021 Day of the girl-child, and ahead of the Day Against Gender-based violence coming in November.
DWOPA’s Founder, Dr. Ijeoma Chikezie, made this point recently, during the organisation’s 7th Year anniversary, and public lecture on the Theme:
Eradicating gender based violence in Nigeria: hope for women and girls by the year 2030.
She noted that as the NGo entered circle seven, it is ready to cruise with its 5-years strategic development plan, aimed at strengthening and increasing its impact.
Dr. Chikezie disclosed that the NGO had within the period empowered and rehabilitated no fewer than two hundred women who are survivors of violence in the society.
She however called for more concerted action by government, in tackling the increasing menace of gender based violence against the most vulnerable members of the society.
“ DWOPA has reviewed its impact in the last seven years, which can in no wise be calculated in the monetary terms: be it in the lives rescued; the skills imparted; and the moral and spiritual impact on women.
“The provision of shelter- the Hope Alive Home, which will provide compassionate care and legal aid assistance and support services to victims, will be given adequate attention.
“ The aim is to provide a social solution system that provides best practices in life-hanging assistance to victims of gender-based violence, through increased advocacy and sensitisation of both men and women”, she explained.
Similarly, in his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Engr. Adebiyi Olusesan noted that the theme of the event, which is in line with the Ministry’s mandate to alleviate the suffering of women and girls in the society, and to improve their quality of life has been bolstered by this present government’s zero tolerance to Gender-based violence.
Olusesan, who was represented by Mrs. Anyanwu Glory, Principal Assistant Social Welfare Officer, Gender Affairs in the Ministry, however recalled that in recent past, gender based violence incidence in Nigeria escalated dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He reiterated commitment to taking advantage of legal tools put in place to reduce equality gap between men and women in Nigeria, as well as cut down the country’s high incidence of gender based violence, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
While commending Dr. Ijeoma Chikezie and her team for their efforts in eradicating gender based violence, the Permanent Secretary call on other NGOs to follow DWOPA’s footprint, to ensure improvement in tackling the menace in the society.
Also speaking, the Guest Speaker, Barrister Yusuf Ibrahim Abdul, attributed the increase in gender based violence to lack of love, anger, and love for money in the society.
Abdul noted that all hands must be on the desk, in order to be able to effectively eradicate gender based violence against women and girls in the society.
According to him, gender based violence especially against women and girls portends serious danger to the survival of the society, they are the heart of the society, hence the urgent need to intensify efforts to eradicate the menace.
He added that stakeholders should always encourage victims of gender based violence to never give up on their dreams and aspirations, through show of kindness and improved access to formal and informal education.
