- Says demand justice, protect your rights
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Imperial Women Initiative (IWI), has encouraged women and adolescent girls in Goli Community, Miri Ward of Bauchi Local Government Area in Bauchi State, to stop suffering in silence regarding the infringement of their fundamental human rights.
According to IWI, instead of enduring abuses and violations, they should always speak out to protect their rights, demand justice, refuse to acquiesce and challenge mistreatment openly by reporting harmful actions promptly.
The Bauchi-based IWI offered the advice during a sensitization programme organised to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD). With the theme: “Rights, Justice, and Action for Women and Girls”, the 2026 IWD focused on raising awareness on women’s rights, access to justice, and protection against violence, especially for vulnerable women in the community.
Not fewer than 100 participants, including community women, men, youths, children and community leaders, and IWI staff participated in the programme, with the organisers noting that the Goli community largely consist of women who have experienced various forms of physical and emotional violence in the past.
Delivering her keynote address, the IWI’s Executive Director, Victoria Ayodele Fajimi, highlighted the dignity, value, and rights of women while encouraging them to always recognize their worth, speak out against violence, and support one another in building a safe and inclusive community.
The technical sessions witnessed a presentation from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Bauchi State office, represented by an Investigation Officer, Barrister Nuru Sulaiman, who spoke about the rights of every individual, such as the right to education, economic empowerment, and access to justice.
He urged women to live to their full potential in order to avoid situations that may expose them to violence or harm, while also challenging all community members to readily report cases of rights violations to relevant authorities.
The NHRC representative further stressed that upholding human rights is a shared responsibility, cautioning against relying solely on government agencies or individuals who may be compromised to enforce these fundamental principles.”
Advising participants during the interactive session, a Community Mobilizer, who also serves as a volunteer on peace and security, encouraged women to always cooperate with their spouses within acceptable limits while avoiding situations that may ultimately lead to violence within the family.
Highlights of the programme included a brief overview of International Women’s Day by IWI staff member, who emphasized the importance of promoting gender equality, rights awareness, and community action even as participants actively shared experiences, and also created an atmosphere for dialogue and mutual understanding.
At the end of the meeting, sanitary materials and refreshments were distributed to participants to support their well-being with most of them acknowledging that the programme successfully increased awareness of women’s rights and justice in Goli Community.
They also agreed the Community has been further strengthened in its commitment to preventing violence, promoting peaceful coexistence, and ensuring that women and girls are safe, live with dignity, and have access to equal opportunities.
