From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Country Director, Action Aid, Ene Obi has described women as indispensable and formidable change agents in combating the negative attitude of violent extremism in society.
Speaking at a one day Women Conference, organized with the support of the Disputes Resolutions and Development Initiative, held in Kano yesterday, Obi stated that influence of women as mothers is key to good upbringing of children.
According to her, as women are deeply involved in the upbringing of children, it was great enough to effect a sustainable paradigm shift in shaping the character of children who were supposed to be guided in whatever they are doing, adding that once such a guidance is not given, there is the tendency for them to go berserk.
Obi who was represented at the conference by Tasallah Chibok, pointed out that there was the compelling need for women to be supported in all aspect of human endeavour, considering their indispensability.
She affirmed that no one would ever be safe and secure with the women folk left at the lower rung of the ladder.
She however stated that the disturbing spate of violent extremism could only be tackled at a time when people imbibe the attitude of peaceful coexistence with certain misunderstanding and resolvable issues taken into cognizance.
She posited that women are supposed to be adequately protected not becoming victims of all forms of inhuman persecution.
She expressed optimism that the conference is poised to address some knotty issues affecting violent extremism for sanity to prevail in the society stressing that with the firm commitment of the Action Aid and the Disputes Resolutions and Development Initiative, the road to achieving the goal is not far fetched.
