The wife of the Anambra
State governor Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has advocated the adoption of
drastic measures and institution of reforms to bring about an end to the spate
of human rights violation, and violence against women and girls.
Speaking on the occasion
of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women organized by the International Association of World Peace Advocates at
Women Development Centre (WDC), Awka, Chief (Mrs.) Obiano, regretted that
violent and abusive practices against women have continued over the years. She
noted that often, violence against women is fuelled by discriminatory
practices, such that across the world, women are beaten, raped, mutilated,
and killed with impunity.
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(L-R): Ambassador Edith
Udeh, Ambassador (Mrs.) Ada Agbasimelo, Wife of the Anambra
State Governor, Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, and World Peace Vice
President and Chairman Governing Council Board, His Excellency Chief Amb. Per
Stafsen, and Country Director, international Association of World Peace
Advocates, His Excellency Ambasador Alhaji Ali Abacha, and students at
the Flag-off of 16-Days of Activism against Gender violence during the
United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against
Women organized by the International Association of World Peace Advocates at Women
Development Centre (WDC), Awka on 25/11/14.
The
governor’s wife said that notwithstanding the fact that the State has the
obligation to prevent, protect and punish violence against women whether
perpetrated by private or public actors, obvious gaps still exist in the
mechanism for protection of individuals from human rights abuses, hence such
violence is often ignored and rarely punished, and the culprits are not held
accountable for the crimes.
“My expectation is that
this conference should be able to come up with suggestions for the reforms and
proffer some new solutions to how this cycle of violence against
women can be eradicated and the perpetrators held responsible.
“I expect that there is
need for a second look at the efficacy of the laws in our statute books and how
they can be strengthened and where necessary work for a review.
“Training of
law-enforcement officials for better enforcement would help in checking rampant
abuses and encourage prosecution of culprits.
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“Civic education on the
rights of the woman and girl-child and the place of culture in checking harmful
traditional practices as well as preserving the dignity of women especially
widows.
“Institution of
comprehensive health services for victims of violence and psychological support
etc.
Chief Mrs Obiano
disclosed that she is working through her pet project, Caring Family
Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) “to ensure sustainable empowerment of women
(notably widows) and the less privileged. She explained that CAFÉ equally
undertake health outreach and provide support to widows who are victims of
violence and abuse while imploring the stakeholders to always contribute their
quota and impact lives positively.
Also she appreciated the
efforts of the International Association of World Peace Advocates, for their
interest in the pursuit of cause of global peace, stressing that the occasion
touches on the elimination of violence against women which is one of her areas
of interest.
The governor’s wife drew
attention to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW) that frowns at all forms of harmful traditional practices
against women, stressing that one of the fundamental human rights is the right
to life and freedom from violence, particularly violence against women.
Mrs. Obiano stated that
millions of women and girls still suffer from violence both in times of peace
and at war in the hands of individuals, the State, at home, and the larger
society, adding that violence against women manifest in various forms physical,
psychological, sexual, financial and emotional.
Noting that whereas
violence and abuse of women are global phenomena sustained by misconceptions,
governor Obiano’s wife revealed that in Nigeria, “our culture has over the
years provided a smokescreen for the abuse of our womenfolk especially the
widows.
Mrs. Obiano was also
presented with the Eminent Peace Ambassador Award as Global Citizens for the
United Nations Peace Mission.
Earlier in his speech,
the World Peace Vice President, Chief Ambassador Per Staffsen, said that the
event helps to enhance the status and rights of women and concluded that
Nigeria and Nigerians are gender-friendly with the zeal to end violence against
women.
He congratulated the UN
Secretary-General, Ban Ki- Moon for brining into existence UN Women especially
his Unite Campaign to end Violence Against Women, Unite Artist and UN Network
of Men Leaders, promising that his association will certainly support his
efforts to stand against any form of humiliation against women and promote
global peace with much regards to his campaign to end gender-based violence.
Chief Ambassador
Staffsen described violence against women as the highest form of injustice and
should be discouraged forthrightly, urging men to see women as full human
beings and in most times their life partner who deserve their respect,
provision, care and protection.
The 2014 celebration of
United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
provides opportunity for all people to recommit to preventing and halting all
forms of violence against women and girls.
