To support the rights of the girl-child and empower them for a brighter future, the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence commissions its Secretariat in Yanagoa, Bayelsa State, just as the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) pushes for the protection of the girl-child and people living with disabilities in Rivers State
By Chinedu Ogu, Port Harcourt
Worried by the high rate of cases of violence against women in Nigeria and Bayelsa State in particular, the National leadership of the Association of Women Against Gender Base Violence (AWAGBV), has commissioned its Secretariat in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
To achieve its objectives, the group unveiled a five-year strategic plan on the prevention, collaboration and empowerment measures to tackle cases of violence against women in the state and the Niger Delta region.
According to the AWAGBV, the new secretariat at Amarata, Opposite St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, will serve as the contact point where victims of gender-based violence in the state will make their complaints and get prompt assistance.
Speaking at the event, Grand Patron of AWAGBV and a United Kingdom–based Forensic Mental Health Practitioner, Dr. Antonia Garner, disclosed that the women and girls advocacy group proposed a five-year strategic plan to assist women who are experiencing violence to get help.
Tentacle gathered that such assistance will also be extended to men, children and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
As part of efforts to increase their finance and effectively fund their projects, Garner disclosed that the propose of the fund-raising event slated for July, 2025, is to raise funds for the building of treatment and administrative centre for victims of gender-based violence in the state.
“We have resolved to constantly collaborate with local and foreign agencies to assist and help the victims of violence” she said.
Tentacle learnt that foreign advocacy groups including Eduare owned by a Kolokuma/Opokuma woman based in United Kingdom and Bayelsa Ladies in the Diaspora have indicated interest in partnering with the AWAGBV to educate and empower victims of gender-based violence.
Speaking, National President of the Association of Women Agencies Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV), Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy-Harry, explained that the five-year strategic plan will involve various preventive measures that will redude cases of violence against women.
She added that if women were empowered and properly education, they will be able to walk away from abusive relationships, stressing most women experiencing violence were poor with little or no education to know their rights and fight back abuses and violence in their marriages and relationships.
Also, second Vice President and Founder, Deborah Ebisinde Filalei Women and Children Development Foundation, Dr. Jonathan Filalei, said AWAGBV will embark on massive media advocacy and enlightenment in the state to educate and create awareness for more collaboration in the fight against gender-based violence.
She noted that AWAGBV was also proposing the establishment of GBV clubs in secondary schools across the state to sensitize the girl-child against violence and abusive relationships.
Members of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Joint National Association of PWDs, led by Hon. Ekpomokumo Doutimiaeyo, who were impressed with the activities of AWAGBV, assured the association of its support, saying that they were ready to collaborate with the group to save female persons with disabilities from violence and abuse.
He said from his interaction with AWAGBV, the passion to assist persons in distress was palpable, adding that and he was optimistic that their drive for funds to realize their dream will receive support based on their compassion.
“I commend them for showing love to female persons who have been abused and deprived of love,” he said.
Responding, a guest at the event, Ebiwe Patrick, who said he was impressed and happy with the group for charting a new and better course for the girl child who face gender-based challenges in society, commended the members for sitting their Headquarters in Yenagoa.
In a related development, the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has joined the advocacy for the protection of the girl-child and PWDs.
The group condemned the stigmatization of a deaf and mute child by women, including women police officers who were present at the Azikiwe Police Division when a particular challenged child was brought in for safety.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana and Secretary, Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie, the group described the women’s behaviour as disgraceful and devoid of empathy.
“It is shameful that women who should be natural protectors of vulnerable children were the ones mocking a helpless minor simply because of her disability. This cruel behaviour reflects the ignorance and stigma that still plague our society,” the association said.
The group, which canvassed societal change, emphasized that as primary caregivers, mothers should lead in showing compassion, not cruelty toward children with disabilities and urged community leaders, women groups and Civil society organizations to intensify advocacy, while pledging to launch a media campaign to promote the rights of PWDs and challenge societal prejudices.
Reacting to the issue, a gender and human rights defender, Josiah Egbilika, expressed outrage over the incident, describing the action of the women who reportedly referred the child as an “imbecile” and deemed her unworthy of care as “inhuman and reflective of society’s deep-rooted discrimination against PWDs, especially the deaf and dumb.
Egbilika further charged civil society and non-governmental organizations to strengthen their advocacy for the protection of the girl-child and PWDs.
“We must not remain silent in the face of such degrading treatment, Acts like this undermine efforts toward achieving equality and respect for human rights and cast Rivers State in a negative light” he said.
He also commended the National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro, for his responsiveness and swift action in ensuring the child’s safety.
