To commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, a non-governmental organisation, Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights (GWIHR) mobilised groups and stakeholders at Umuahia, Abia state capital and joined the global community to commemorate the 2024 campaign.
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At a symposium with the theme, ‘Recommitment, Accountability, Resourcing – Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls’, sponsored by French Embassy Nigeria held at Villa Roy Hotel and Suites. Participants including advocates, community leaders, representatives of Abia state Ministries, Agencies and the Police, were informed of the urgent need to end violence against women and girls.

Executive Director, GWIHR, Aseme Josephine, said the goal is to foster a dialogue session for actionable re-commitments to gender equity and protection of the rights and dignity of marginalised women and girls, adding that, “no woman is free until all women are hence, violence to one is violence to all.”

The participants committed to the symposium resolutions by signing a recommitment charter highlighting their full involvement in the fight against GBV for all women and girls through advocacy, collaboration, and policy reforms.

They outlined concrete strategies to eliminate gender-based violence, namely; strengthening multisectoral partnerships for prevention and response, enhancing public awareness campaigns to address harmful norms and stereotypes, promoting access to justice through legal reforms, enforcement of existing laws including advocating for increased funding and resources to support GBV survivors.

Stakeholders pledged to sustain inter-agency collaboration and accountability, reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring that their endorsed commitments at the symposium, will extend beyond the campaign period and foster long-term impact and measurable progress towards Beijing +30 goals.

Participants however affirms that to achieve a world free of violence against women and girls, government agencies should implement and fund gender-focused programmes, Civil society organisations should continue advocacy and community-based interventions, while charging media organisations to amplify awareness campaigns and promote positive narratives.
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