By Ameer Obansa, Lokoja
The Country Director , Actionaid Nigeria , Ene Obi has called on government at all levels , corporate organisations and individuals to joined the fight against women and children abuse and molestation in the country.
Obi made the call in Lokoja on Tuesday, during the sensitization programme on Kogi State Action Plan for peace and security of women and children organised by Kogi state ministry of women affairs and social development in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) and Action aid Nigeria.
The Country Director who was represented by Mr Anicetus Atakpu , Acting coordinator , Humanitarian and Resilience unit of Actionaid Nigeria, pointed out that women and children abuse has become alarming in the country despite the effort put in place by stakeholders to rid the menace , stressed that there is need for government at all level to take a proactive measures to end violence against women and children.
“The fight against women and children should be a collective effort as women are the catalysts for nation building” she noted
While calling women to see the sensitization as a call to duty, Obi urged Nigerian to read the document , saying it contained a wonderful plan for the peace and security of women and children.
Earlier , the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Bolanle Ampitan described the sensitization as timely especially now that the 2019 general elections is fast approaching.
Represented by a Senior Special Assistant to the governor on women affairs, Mrs Nana Ako, the Commissioner said “It is common knowledge that security is the life wire of any society and as such Kogi state government will continue to support any programme that concern security”
She noted that the sensitization was a call on stakeholders both at the state and the local government to accept the programme in order to increase women representation and participation in leadership and decision making in the state and at the grassroot level.
The Commissioner pointed out that the document will enable the state government and the state house of assembly to support enactment of gender responsive laws and policies .
