Isi-Uzo LG Chairman’s Wife Sets up 55-member Monitoring Team Against Gender-based Violence

Wife of the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State , Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu, has inaugurated a 55-member monitoring team to tackle gender-based violence, GBV, in the 11 wards of the LGA.

Mrs Obeagu has also called for a collective action against the menace in communities and villages across the LGA.

She made the call during the commemoration of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence at the local government headquarters at Ikem.

She revealed that the monitoring team comprised five women from each of the 11 wards in the LGA, who would act as whistleblowers and mediators in their respective communities.

“We are action-driven; we don’t just want to be speaking about it. This initiative is pursuant to the determination of Her Excellency, the wife of the governor, who wants to put the menace behind us and also flagged off the 16 days of activism against bender-based violence across Enugu State.

“These monitors will help ensure that perpetrators of GBV do not go scot-free. They will report to the council, which will escalate the matter to the relevant agencies. We will also train them on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, law so they understand the legal framework and consequences surrounding gender-based violence,” she said.

Obeagu stressed that GBV, including rape, denial of rights, and forced marriages, not only harms individuals but also weakens the fabric of society. She called on everyone, traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious heads, to take a firm stand against GBV.

“This war against gender-based violence is not an individual fight; it is for everyone. Church leaders, community leaders, and indeed the society must join hands to say no to this menace. Only then can we build a habitable society for everyone,” she said.

The Special Adviser to the Wife of the Governor on Gender Matters, Dr Uzor Okenwa, reiterated the broad scope of GBV, clarifying that it affects not only women but also men and children.

“When we talk about gender-based violence, we are not talking about women alone. It could be a man, a woman, or a child. Taking undue advantage of someone through abuse, physical violence, rape, or denial of rights are all forms of GBV. So, this monitoring initiative is excellent because perpetrators will no longer go unpunished. Denying someone’s education or shelter is also GBV, and we must stop it,” she warned.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, praised the initiative, acknowledging the efforts of the Enugu State First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, and Governor Peter Mbah in driving positive change across the state.

“I want to thank Her Excellency’s team. I have seen their activities, touring different local governments to protect fundamental rights and make our communities better. I have also seen how the First Lady’s Office and Governor through the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, are taking action against abuse of children and women. Several people have even been charged to court. So. She is an action First Lady and I will continue to support this advocacy to protect the rights of women, girls, and others in society.”

The traditional ruler of Ikem, who is also Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Isi-Uzo, Igwe Okey Ogbodo, described the initiative as a welcome development.

“I feel happy about this because gender-based violence has been in focus for years. We, the traditional rulers, have been part of workshops to understand and fight these vices such as battering, rape, and others.

“These acts promote broken homes, and we must kick them out of our society. We will partner with the governor’s wife and the wife of our chairman to ensure that this programme reaches every community,” he said.