National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) in collaboration with the Partnership for Advancing Women in Economic Development (PAWED) has called for the advancement of gender equality in the country.
The group made the call at a media parley to flag off activities in commemoration of 2022 16 Days Activism, with the theme: “Unite! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” in Abuja.
The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, noted that violence against women is deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies.”
Quoting the UN statistics on gender-based violence (GBV), Lau said the act has become a widespread global phenomenon, with about 243 million women and girls facing gender related abuses.
“We challenge oppressive practices and human rights violation. We demand improved respect for the human rights of women and girls; and the advancement of gender equality in Nigeria,” Lau said.
She further assured of the council’s commitment to supporting women inclusion, protection of the rights of women and children, and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls while informing that the council have outlined several activities to promote women’s rights.
“Collectively we can do more to show solidarity to women in distress and survivors of GBV. Our activities shall include a national conference, school debates, visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and nationwide awareness campaign to end GBV,” she explained.
