IWD: WARDC seeks end to violence against women, girls in lagos

In a bid to ensure gender justice in Nigeria as it relates to women and girls, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for an end to all forms of gender-based violence and harmful practices, that has become the order of the day in recent times.

Executive Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi disclosed this at its event tagged: #IamGenerationEquality: Realising Women’s Rights, to mark the 2020 International Women’s Day. According to her, women had suffered discrimination and marginalisation in the society and to help curb the menace, WARDC is implementing the Spotlight Initiative Project in Lagos state.

The Spotlight Initiative, which is supported by the European Union and UN Women, aims at bringing the issues of sex and Gender-based violence, harmful practices against women, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights to the fore in a bid to eliminate all forms of violence against Women and Girls.

“Our goal is that one year down the line we will have a gigantic mass movement of CSOs, NGOs and Faith based organisations whose collective action will cause changes, reforms and solutions in the battle to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos Council, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sessi identified some of the reasons for violence against women as ignorance of human rights and the poor socialisation process in the society. “The discrimination against women is disturbing, in some workplaces, certain positions are reserved for men only, even in some churches, women are not allowed to speak, they have to express their thoughts through their husbands.

“Women and girls should be sensitised about their rights. Boys and girls also need to be trained to carry out chores; there should be no segregation between boys and girls when it comes to doing home chores. More importantly, women should be given the opportunity to participate in politics as they can effect the changes that society is yearning for.”