Women in Nigeria have called for legislative support against Gender-Based Violence across the country.
This was the focal point at a meeting convened by Gender Strategy Advancement Initiative (GSAI) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The event which brought together women from across the country focused on“Gender Bill Review, Policy and Implementation as the way forward.”
This is also in line with activities to mark the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence and discrimination which starts on the 25 of November.
The Minister for State, Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, stressed the need for innovative stratagise to ensure that gender bills are passed in to legislations.
“From my experience I believe these things should done according to the law. The more you lobby the more your voice is raised. There is no way out apart from having legislation, the truth is if you want to get bills passed you have to have the number. Moving forward no matter how long you hold town hall meetings or lobby, it has to be legislated and documented for future use”. She said
According to the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Ministry, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mrs Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi, women have the mandate to help other women thrive, she further urged all women to have a renewed mindset to change the narrative that women are enemies to themselves.
“There is a hope that has extended with me because I represent the women. I want you to know that women are not at war .We need to take the risks and push harder.We need to become a more responsive tribe of women advocates, policy makers and carrying your opinions beyond your sitting rooms. As women, we should give other womenopportunity.We are re-sitting the seats of women, with women who are not in sit but can re-sit mindsets”. Adedayo noted
For her part, the Executive Director Gender Strategy Advancement Initiative (GSAI) and the Convener of the Gender town hall meeting, Adaora Sydney Jack, explained that the aim of the town hall meeting is to recall and rewrite new strategies that will amplify women’s voices.
She said “To commence this year’s 16 days of activism, this special edition of the Gender Agenda town hall series engaged stakeholders to Open up a discourse, 24th of November to flag off the commemoration and deepen the discourse around our core theme and 1st of December to highlight and bring key recommendations to the issues as unveiled around the subject areas”.
Mrs. Jack added that “It is time to break the bias and remover every iota of discrimination against women, that limits them and enables aggressive behaviour towards them and that which excommunicate them from decision making table.This meeting is to recall, to remember and reawaken”. She explained
In a related development, Susan Kelechi, who spoke on behalf of People with disabilities, call for an all inclusive society.
“Society needs to start embracing disability as new norm. Is not an issue for charity or doing the community a favour. We are first humans before the disability. When the bills are passed it means everyone is involved and included, and when every is included everyone wins”.
Every year, the world sets aside 16 days of activism against GBV as an annual campaign that is dedicated as an international day for the elimination of Violence against women which commences from the 25th of November to the 10th of December every year
