End gender-based violence says NAWOJ

From: Ruth Yarnap, Bauchi

Bauchi State Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has appealed to Nigerians to stand up collectively and fight gender-based violence against women and girls in the society.

The Chairperson of Bauchi State NAWOJ, Mrs. Bulak Afsa made the called during a one-day street rally organised by the Bauchi state chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists with support from Plan International Nigeria to commemorate the 16 days of Activism, with the theme “Change the World, Stop Gender- Based Violence Now.”

Mrs. Afsa decried the rising cases of GBV in the society noting that it is not only limited to girls and women, but also affects men.

According to her, ” everyone needs to speak out against gender-based violence in the community be it rape, sexual molestation or intimidation.  Our females are not punching bags but rather men should love and protect them.”

She said the main aim of the rally is to create Awareness on the need for people to rise up to stop all forms of gender-based violence in order to return sanity to the existence of the family.

The Chairperson commended Plan International for supporting the women groups in the fight against gender-based violence in the community which she said has retarded social activities within the community especially during the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lock down.

The Representative of Plan International in Bauchi, Zainab Sabitu,  in her speech, said that the NGO decided to participate in the program to amplify calls to end gender-based violence.

She said that Plan International is supporting the Girls Loud out project to give them skills to speak out when someone tries to molest them.

The groups that joined the rally included FOMWAN, NCWS, He4She, Stand Women Society (SWS), FIDA, NLC Women and persons with disabilities.