Violence Against Women: Project Alert, UNIFEM Battle Age-Long Social Ill

September 16, 2004 - (Daily Champion - Lagos) IN continuation of it's campaign against violence against women, project Alert in conjunction with United Nation's Funds for Women (UNIFEM) held a two-day workshop recently in Akwa-Ibom State.

The workshop was to educate civil society groups and the media on various issues bordering on violence against women in order to create a strong network of organisations and strategic partners who would then advocate for the promulgation into law, of the domestic violence bills presently before the state House of Assembly.

In her address, the state Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Prof. Mrs. Ekaete Etuk described the workshop as the beginning of a new dawn in the fight against violence in Nigeria.

Prof. (Mrs.) Etuk noted that even though the Nigerian constitution guarantees the protection of the human rights of all Nigerian citizens and provides for the equality of all its citizenry, violence against women is still prevalent in the society.

According to her, statistics available to her ministry show that women both in the rural metropolis are battered by their husbands and other family members on a daily basis.

"It is very sad to note that wife battery is a very common form of violence against women all over the world including America, Europe, Africa and even right here in Nigeria and Akwa-Ibom State" she added.

The commissioner also identified forced marriages and female genital mutilation as violent practices against women and a gross violation of their basic human rights.

She commended organisers of the workshop saying "workshop such as this is one of the solutions for increased advocacy on women's rights, gender awareness and culturally sensitive ways of eliminating violence against women, as well as protecting women from abuse and exploitation"

Speaking on "Legal constraints to Eliminating Violence Against Women in Nigeria," Mrs. Gloria Umoren, described the inability of the Non-governmental Organisation (NGOs) to penetrate the legislature or the Executive as part of the legal constraints in the state.

She stressed the need for the women in the state to form pressure or lobby groups that will help effect changes in the law, adding "it is only for us (women) in Akwa-Ibom State to accept that this fight is our fight."

The theme of the workshop was "Sensitisation/Advocacy workshop on violence against women in Nigeria."

Mabel Udongwu who spoke on, "De emphasizing violence against women in Nigeria - a challenge of this millennium," advised that the school curriculum and practice should not be gender biased adding "gender equity in education is a veritable stepping - stone for the development of such
goals that are meant to mainstream women fully in male-dominated societies in their 21st century."

Similarly, she highlighted the need to put in place those structures that are meant to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and uplift their dignity.

Speaking earlier, Executive Director, Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said that her organisation which was established in 1999 aimed at raising awareness and educating women in particular and the society in general on the issue of violence against women in Nigeria.

The organisation also provide up to date information and statistics on the prevalence, causes, patterns and emerging trends in violence against women.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200409160684.html