Centre sensitises Adamawa residents on Violence Against Women and Girls

On Nov 29, 2023

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has sensitised the people of Yola, the Adamawa capital, on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), in commemoration of the annual observance of 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence across the world.

The 16 Days of Activism is an annual international campaign that runs from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.

The global initiative is aimed at the elimination of Gender-Based Violence by raising awareness about the devastating impact of violence on women and children, and the social fabric of the society.

The campaign has “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls” as the theme for the 2023 celebration.

The CDD sensitisation, therefore, started with a road walk from the Bekaji roundabout to Jimeta modern market in Yola-North Local Government Area on Wednesday.

The Team Lead of CDD, Mrs Amina Auwal, described the commitment of stakeholders as the symbol of unity against GBV in the state.

She said that the theme of this year’s global observance is timely, and urged stakeholders to unite and reduce the rate of GBV in the state and the nation at large.

She added that “VAWG is like cancer; it is eating up communities gradually, but when it has been cut off completely, we will have societies free of GBV. This sensitisation will help to bring an end to the menace of VAWG.”

Mrs Rose Zinas, the Desk Officer, GBV, National Orientation Agency (NOA), urged parents, guardians and stakeholders to take advantage of the 2023
theme of the global campaign to invest on women and girls.

She said such investment would help to reduce women’s dependence on husbands and parents, as well as end violence against them.

Zinas also urged women to be proactive in looking for something to do to earn a living and not to be a liability.

Lubna Dodo, Secretary, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), appreciated the contributions of CDD in the fight against GBV in the state.

She said that the mission of the road walk was to create awareness on the theme of this year’s activism.

“This means invest by educating the girl-child and empower them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in future. This will go a long way to reduce vulnerability to violence anywhere they find themselves.”

She also said that the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Protection Law and ongoing sensitisation
for the implementation of the laws helped in reducing the rate of GBV in the state.

NAN/Wumi