Enugu Council Chair’s Wife Flags off 16-Day Campaign against Gender-based Violence, Femicide

The Wife of the Council Chairman of Isi Uzo Local government Area of Enugu State, Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, has flagged-off a 16-day campaign against Gender-based Violence (GBV) and femicide, urging every member of the society to rise up against this scourge.

Mrs. Obeagu, who said that the programme themed “Accelerating Actions to End Gender Based-Violence and Femicide in Enugu State”, was an initiative of the the wife of the governor of the state, Mrs. Nkechi Mbah, in partnership with the United Nations, lauded the First Lady for her commitment to the welfare of Enugu citizens, especially children, women, and the youth.

She also commended Mrs. Mbah, who was represented by Dr. Amaka Okenwa-Uzoechina, for bringing such an important programme to Isi-Uzo and for sending competent resource persons, assured her that the people of Isi-Uzo would apply the teachings in their daily lives and ensure that no offender or culprit goes unreported and unpunished.

Mrs. Obeagu also commended the Council Chairman, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, a human rights lawyer, for not only supporting her in hosting the event and other programmes that impact women, children, and the youth, but also for being at the forefront of the war against GBV.

Also speaking, a resource person and Coordinator of the Technical Working Group, Mrs. Onyinye Mamah, said GBV include domestic violence against women, men or children living in the same domestic unit, noting, however, that women and girls were the main victims of the scourge, which, she said, caused severe harm to families and communities.

She said GBV include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in private, adding that it could come in the forms of coercion, manipulation, and threats of violence.

“GBV is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue. And when people flee their homes, they are often at greater risk of physical, sexual and psychological violence, such as rape, sexual abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution.

“It is estimated that one in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime.

“Gender-based violence is preventable and UN is committed to promoting gender equality and protecting displaced and stateless people from GBV.

“The Nigerian and Enugu State governments and laws frown at GBV and it is a punishable offence that everyone must flee from,” she stated.

She commended the Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo and wife for prioritising the welfare of women and children and for the massive mobilisation of the people for the flag-off of the 16-day campaign.

She also lauded the clergy wives, traditional rulers, town unions, market association leaders, security agencies and stakeholders of Isi-Uzo for their interest, but urged them to redouble their effort towards ending GBV.

On his part, the Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, thanked the wife of the governor and her team for making Isi-Uzo one of the pilot local governments for the programme.

He charged those whom attended the programme to be good examples to others by applying the lessons learnt, noting that as a human rights lawyer, there was no room or tolerance for GBV in Isi-Uzo under his watch.