The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, and a civil society group, Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN), have agreed to join forces in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violence against women especially during elections.
They reached the agreement when the leadership of WSRN, Ebonyi chapter, paid an advocacy visit to the state Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor in his office in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The two bodies also agreed to fight against all other practices that affect women’s participation in politics.
In her remarks, the Ebonyi State Coordinator of WSRN, Lorieth Nwafor, observed that women participate actively in elections, but are often confronted with violence by political actors and their supporters, a situation which according to her, has led to a decline of interest in political activities by some women.
She described gender-based violence in elections as human rights violations that undermine the principles of democracy, equality, and justice.
According to her, “Women Situation Room is a Civil Society Organization that seeks to increase women’s substantive participation in political process and conflict prevention in accordance with UNCR 1325. The Women Situation Room was created out of the understanding of the gender and dynamic nature of violence and the facts on elections or conflicts that erupt in most African countries. It therefore becomes imperative that women develop a mechanism to counter this pattern.”
Nwafor also noted that the essence of the advocacy visit was to seek the support and partnership of the Media in Ebonyi State to fight the ugly trend.
Receiving the delegation, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor commended them for advocating for a positive change in the society.
He noted that the agenda of the group which is a better change in society was similar to that of journalists, and assured that the union would partner with the group to achieve its objectives, and implored women to break the barriers that hinder them from active participation in politics which he said, include apathy and intimidation among others.
“Our practice, our primary assignment as journalists are almost the same with what your group is championing. We fight for justice, we fight for equity, we communicate to ensure that the society gets better, to ensure that we have a society where everybody will be equal, a society where everybody will get justice, a society where everybody will have freedom.”
Comrade Nwafor also said, “This is what we stand for as a union and it is like we are almost on the same track because what you are preaching is what we do as journalists. So, be assured of our support and partnership.”
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