The General and Constitution Reform Network (GENCORN) South-South Zone has tasked government at all levels to end all forms of discrimination against women, girls and include them in governance in the country.
The group made their position known in a one-day national walk of Women to demand inclusive constitution and end to all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Executive Director of Kebeketkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Emem Okon, who is the zonal coordinator while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the event maintained that this was part of organizing 1,000 women as part of activities to campaign against violence against women and girls and encourage inclusiveness in governance.
She said all other states have organized their own, noting that the purpose was to draw the attention of government to the legal framework and cases of rape, victimization and violence against the girl-child in schools, homes and work place. “Government and CSO’s should mainstream this as their activities to end the violence against women, and issue of peace and security, women inclusiveness are all part of the “Womanifesto” which include what Nigeria women want,” she stated.
She further said that Ketbekache Women Development and Resource Centre was the secretariat of the organization while calling on government agencies, ministries, organizations and individuals to do everything possible to end the ugly trend.
In separate interviews, the Delta State Coordinator of the group, Lilian Nwokobia, explained that it is inhuman to be treated with injustice, rape, and killing which women are victims.
Also speaking, the Edo State Coordinator, Barr. Agartha Osieke, told journalists that the group have done a lot of media campaign, advocacy visit to traditional rulers, and those at House of Assembly, while advising the government and general public to note that women are not less human and should be included in all aspects of life.
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Miss Joy Ubong who also represented people with disability said the issue of violence against women and girls is very serious in Akwa Ibom State, especially during the lockdown with people with disability violence is much”. She called on government to apply the VAPP Law.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Barr. Uche Uriri, said the Rivers State government has zero tolerance for gender-based violence, noting that the state had done well to include women in politics, especially electing women as Deputy Governor and Vice-chairmen at all local governments in the State.
The Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Idongesit Smart, said gender-based violence should be eradicated starting from homes. She said that the group had reduced female circumcision and reported culprits to right quarters.
