From TCNEWS
In continuation of the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM on gender based violence, the SieDi-Hub – Innovation Hub for Inclusiveness, Empowerment and Social Development, with support from Menengage Network Nigeria, and in collaboration with National Orientation Agency, Abia State Directorate on Monday 9th December, 2024 embarked on a road show.
Innovation Hub for Inclusiveness, Empowerment, and Social Development (SieDi-Hub) is a leading non-profit with a mission to improve the quality of life for people living in underserved communities through the advancement in healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, empowerment, and socioeconomic initiatives using approaches that is inclusive and innovative.
Mr. Ifeanyi Nlewedim, a representative of the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti and State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Maureen Aghukwa, urged the public to join hands with the Government and Nongovernmental Organizations in the fight against sexual and gender based violence in Abia State and Nigeria at large.
They explained that the male folk is not excluded from the menace but are also affected, hence the need for all to speak out.
Speaking also, the State Director of NOA, Mrs Regina Iroha, advised both men and women to speak up against GBV, which include: physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual violence, economic abuse among other life threatening cases.
Also speaking respectively, the Chairman Association of Heads of Federal Establishments in Abia State, Mrs Gloria Abiakam, the State Chairman of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Mrs Josephine Ogwo, Barrister Chinenye Atuma from NOA, and Mrs Priscilla Ogbonna from Open Government Partnership observed the high rate of abuse in the present society, and warned against staying in an abusive marriage.
They advised the public not to hesitate to report any case of GBV to Human Rights Commission office, International Federation of Female Lawyers, and also join their voice to speak out against GBV and child labour.
In her speech, the program manager of SieDi-Hub, Dr. Carol Ezinne-Raphael Charles, passionately appealed to all stakeholders to join SieDi-Hub, to speak for the voiceless in the society.