By Austin Okoro
May 22 (Newshour.com.ng) – Alliances for Africa (AFA), a leading feminist -led organization in Imo state has celebrated its three(3) years and six(6) months project on ending violence against women and girls through the funding effort of United Nations Trust Fund on ending violence against women and girls (UNTF – EVAWG)
The group stated this in a release signed by the Executive Director, Alliances for Africa, Owerri, Imo state, and made available to the press; it stated that AFA has in 3 years and 6 months implemented a project on ending violence against women and girls in Imo state successfully.
That various initiatives were implemented which includes capacity building for frontline service providers, strengthening of the referral pathway for reporting SGBV in Imo state, awareness-raising campaigns and the establishment of support structures for survivors of violence.
” The project also successfully implemented community based awareness campaigns, school sensitization outreaches where school children were sensitized on the element of violence against women and girls (VAWG), addressing the culture of silence which still remains a challenge, also reaching over a million direct and appropriately 2 million indirect beneficiaries in Imo state with messages to end violence against women and girls.”
The campaigns highlighted the need to end all forms of sexual and gender based violence against women and girls, educating women on their civil status in marriage, female-genital mutilation, harmful widowhood practices, consequences of early marriages, abolishment of long aged traditions and norms, wife batters, and encouraging community mentors to report cases of violence and support survivors path to justice while arming the women with summarized copies of the VAPP LAW.”
Speaking after the event, one of the facilitators and a staff of Alliances for Africa, Lady Lilian Ibe said Alliances for Africa (AFA) is a non-profit organization in Imo state working to protect and advance the human rights of women and girls. She noted that the organization and its partners celebrated their collective gains in the fight against violence of women and girls because it has not been easy adding that they would not relent in the fight until it stops.
She however demands the implementation of the Violence against Persons law (VAPP LAW) which was passed on December, 2021; calling on the ministry of justice, Imo state agency responsible for enforcing the VAPP LAW which is Imo state Agency for prohibition of violence against persons as already established to work in unison with all state and non state actors to see that the VAPP LAW is implemented, so as to improve the quality of life of women and girls.
HRH Eze Clinton Uboegbulam in his speech commended AFA and its partners for their immense contributions towards the improvement of the quality of life of women and girls.
Dr. Blessing Azubuike, Director of women affairs, ministry of women affairs Imo state, expressed her sincere excitement over the success of the programme, adding that Alliances for Africa has impacted positively in her life and in the life of women in Imo state, while commending the Hon. Commissioner for women affairs, Lady Nkechi Ugwu and the wife of governor, Barrister Chioma Uzodinma for their support. She prayed God to reward the staff of Alliances for Africa, as the reward for hardwork is more work.
Barr Ndidi Anike Val Okeoma (FIDA president) said AFA has shown capacity. The VAPP LAW happened because of them.
Madam Korie Chinasa, a representative of the disabled community said AFA has opened their eyes to know what they didn’t know before. Now they know that there’s ability in disability.
Mrs Nnenaya Eneremadu said AFA made them to discover their strength as women.
One of the awardees, Comrade Keesandu Kenkwo Kingsley who spoke on behalf of other awardees said they were motivated by their love for humanity to support the fight against violence of women and girls in the society so as to improve the quality of life of women and girls. He commended AFA for the success they achieved so far.
About 40 eminent personalities received merit certificates for their support and contributions towards the success of the programme.
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