GLOBAL 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

PHEW FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHIEF STANLEY TESIRI  PRESENT ONE DAY RURAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH. 

UDU -

The campaign against gender based violence at the weekend received a boost as some concerned stakeholders, in commemorating the 2020 Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, took the crusade to rural women from Ukpiovwin community in Udu local government area to educate them on the need to speak out when abused. 

Correspondent reports that PHEW Foundation International, The Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, The Medical Women Association and other stakeholders took time to lectured the rural women on how to get the attention of the appropriate authorities whenever they are being abused. 

The issue of gender based violence especially among the female fokes is on the increase. 

With a view to empower women in eliminating gender based violence in the society and to commemorate this year's Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence PHEW Foundation International in partner with Sir Chief Stanley Tesiri and other gender based stakeholders at the weekend gathered women from Ukpiovwin Community in Udu local government area to educate them on what gender based violence is all about. 

The Director General of the body, Engineer  Mrs Queen Chigbo in an interview said the reason for bringing the message against gender based violence to the grassroots was to make the rural women know what to do when abused by their husbands or anyone. 

Mrs Chigbo noted that gender based violence is not properly reported in the rural areas because of inadequate education the rural women have on how to seek justice. 

She added that gender based violence has sent many to their early graves, disfigured many as well as also make many suffered from depression, psychology disorder among others. 

Engineer Mrs Chigbo emphasized that the time to say no to gender based violence is now and as such implored government at all levels to help strengthen the appropriate institutions to prosecute culprits of gender based violence. 

Some resource persons who took out time to speak including Mrs Anene Nkechi, Mrs Rosemary Imhanwa, the Vice Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA Mrs Jessica Megbele and Dr Esther Akpojovwo all stressed on the importance for gender based violence victims to talk to the right bodies.

Some of the rural women who spoke to newsmen said that they have learned much on the causes of gender based violence and how to prevent it. 

A playlet was dramatized to the rural women on how to address gender based violence from the home front.

The sensitization program was later climaxed by questions and answers sessions as well as food presentations to the rural women so as to enable them have a feel of the Xmas celebrations while others were recognized for their support in advancing the society.