… Takes Literacy to FCT grassroots women
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Wives of Traditional Rulers in the FCT under the auspices of the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers, AWTR, are seeking for more female lawyers for the traditional institution to eradicate Sexual Based Violence, SBV, at the grassroots.
Speaking at a press briefing on the Association’s Projects titled ” Strengthening of the Traditional Justice System to Combat Gender Discrimination , Early Marriage of Girl- Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. to mark the IWD at the Hakim Dutse , Palace at Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, the FCT AWTR General Secretary, Mrs . Halima Mohammed disclosed this.
Mohammed said,” We therefore call on the FCT Administration to provide more female lawyers to the traditional institution for. smooth delivery of Justices, as well as to support other initiatives aimed of improving the administration of traditional Justice for indigenous women experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, SBV. “
Mohammed called on all women at the grassroots who sees or hears about SBV, incidents in their neghbourhood, school or market, to report such to the nearest Chief palace Hotline-09011869941.
In a continuous effort to empower victims of SBV and the indigenous women in the 17 Chiefdoms in the FCT, AWTR said it is organising empowerment project for the women to enable them. contribute to both community and national developed.
Mrs. Ifeoma Anozie, Head of Literacy Unit at the Department of Mass Education at Bwari Zonal Office, said that government is partnering with AWTR because of empowerment of women in Literacy and Numeracy. For those who cannot read and write because of factors like early marriage, low finances or other problems.
“The Department of Mass Education, DMS is here to help for indigenous women to complete their education.”
They are usually given certificates which is equivalent to first Leaving Primary School Certificate, with this they can gain entrance to Secondary School. We have those who have passed.tjrough us and ate now in the Universities and Polythenic.
She explained that Mass education is free and it is teacher based for the convenience of the women.
Meanwhile, the AWTR Programmes Director, Ambassador Hannatu Usman Nga, admonished the women to access the empowerment Projects on Literacy while remaining as good home and bridge builders for the development of their communities.
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Nga recounts the rescue of Twenty – One year old Buhaira Ibrahim who was saved from spousal battering during her forced marriage when she was just 17 years.
She explained that with the prompt assistance from our legal partner, the Legal Aid Council led by the Director General the case was heard at the Bwari Area Court, in accordance with the Khul on the Quaran, Buhaira was pronounced free of the forced marriage and gender based Violence, GBV.
