BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWAOJ) has stressed the critical and urgent need for the stepping up of concerted and deliberate global efforts towards the elimination of all forms of violence against Women.
In a statement marking the “International Day for the Elimination of all forms of Violence against Women”, the President of NAWOJ – Comrade Ladi Bala canvassed for all hands to be on deck towards putting an end to all forms of violence that include rape, domestic violence, psychological torture and other forms of maltreatment against Women.
The statement with the heading: “Take Action For The Woman And Humanity Now”, the NAWOJ President called on all tiers of Government and other critical stakeholders in Nigeria to put in place and advance measures towards safeguarding the fundamental rights of women in Nigeria.
While condemning all forms of gender based violence, the NAWAOJ President assured that the Association would continue to join hands with relevant and critical stakeholders towards eliminating the rising and unacceptable cases of violence against Women.
Comrade Bala further said that NAWOJ under her leadership is determined and will set and step up ADVOCACY on gender based violence as well as encourage victims to speak out and free themselves from the shackles of oppression and oppressors.
NAWAOJ commends the United Nations General Assembly for earmarking a day for the elimination of violence against Women.
NAWOJ equally described as a welcome development the choice of the theme; “FUND, RESPOND, PREVENT, COLLECT” as the world advocacy to put in the front burner, issues that affect an estimated one-third (one in every three) women in their life time.
The NAWOJ President said that just like the UN’s desire to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject of violence, the Association is more than ever before determined to unite and work with other stakeholders to put an end to the menace of violence against women particularly in Nigeria, stressing that the time for action is now.
