From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
To mark the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism and World Human Rights Day, the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), in collaboration with various civil society organizations, launched a sensitization campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls in Bayelsa State.
The sensitization campaign which had participants with different placards with inscriptions, ‘Say no to violence against Women and Girls’, ‘#no excuses’, ‘Time to take action is now’ began from Berger fly over bridge, terminated at Oxbow lake community.
It reports that, this initiative underscores the commitment to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and promote community involvement in combating this pressing issue.
Mr. Moses Oleh, the State Program Manager for CCCRN, emphasized that the 16 Days of Activism is a crucial period for fostering awareness and collective action against GBV.
“In Bayelsa, significant strides have been made to reduce both GBV and sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). We are on the streets to collectively support the government and collaborate with all partners in the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls,” he stated.
The campaign also called upon men to play an active role in supporting efforts to end violence against women, highlighting that they should protect their partners and daughters from all forms of abuse. Mr. Oleh’s message resonates with broader calls for male engagement in gender equality initiatives.
Mrs. Felicia Owei, Director of the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment, and Social Development, reiterated the campaign’s goal of educating women about their rights.
She noted that collaboration with relevant stakeholders is essential to ensure that more women are informed about the dangers of GBV, particularly in rural areas.
“We are creating awareness so that people understand that violence against women and girls is unacceptable. Practices such as sexual harassment, rape, wife battery, and harmful widowhood practices must be eliminated,” she asserted.
The campaign encourages women and girls to seek help when faced with violence, emphasizing the importance of community support in addressing these issues.
Lady Eunice Nnachi, Executive Director of WOMAN, urged victims to report cases of defilement and violence to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under the law.
Nnachi noted that, the 16 Days of Activism is an annual international campaign that began on November 25 and concludes on December 10. It aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and advocate for its eradication globally.
She said, “this year’s campaign in Bayelsa State reflects a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive strategies to combat violence against women and girls.
“As communities come together to support this cause, there is a renewed hope that increased awareness and education will lead to tangible changes in attitudes and behaviors regarding gender-based violence.
“The ongoing commitment from both governmental and non-governmental organizations is crucial in ensuring that women feel safe and empowered within their communities.”
The road walk for this campaign included participation from various organizations such as BANGOF, GRIT, Heartland Alliance, and other community-based organizations (CBOs), demonstrating a united front against GBV.
