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Tag: AWTR

  • IWD: AWTR want more female lawyers to eradicate SBV at grassroots

    IWD: AWTR want more female lawyers to eradicate SBV at grassroots

    … 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.
    .
    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.

  • Indigenous Peoples Day: AWTR call for Act of recognition, inclusion of indigenous women in governance

    Indigenous Peoples Day: AWTR call for Act of recognition, inclusion of indigenous women in governance

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers, AWTR, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have called for the recognition and Inclusion of indigenes particularly women in governance.

    The President of AWTR, HRH Hauwa Kulu Ibrahim made this call yesterday at the Sakaruyi of Karu Palace during a press conference to mark the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, IPD.

    Ibrahim decried the two cardinal challenges which are inclusive governance and the double Jeopardy of the FCT indigenous woman.
    She explained that despite the clamour for a second tier of administration and court judgement for inclusion of indigenes , the court judgements are not obeyed by government resulting in continuous exclusion of the original inhabitants from participating in decision making.
    The remedy to this impasse begins with an act of recognition . ”
    Recognition that it was the Nigerian Government who disposed the original inhabitants , they took our traditional land and traditional way of life, by virtue of Decree 6 of 1976 to make room for Nigeria Capital and now has excluded the original inhabitants from participating I. decision making. ”
    She urged the indigenous people not to relent in making repeated demand for their rights , Identification and participation in governance.
    The AWTR President said” As the world makes the IPD we would like to request that the government appoint a special envoy on FCT indigenous peoples concern to deal y our demands , advocate and provide accurate report to government” , adding that this would show that government is paying due respect to the original inhabitants whose sacrifice of ancestral heritage is enabling our national developmental objectives.
    Speaking on the need to include indigenous women in the scheme of affairs, Ibrahim emphasized, ” indigenous women are thea backbone of the communities and play crucial role in passing down the traditional ancestral knowledge from one generation to the next.”

    Furthermore she noted that it a double Jeopardy for indigenous women and girls who do not have a access to healthcare and education.
    Up ut They live in extreme poverty compared to their no – indigenous counterparts , living behind high rise buildings in Abuja.
    The Sakaruyi of Karu , HRH Samuel Kyauta lamented that FCT indigenes have suffered a lot despite of their support to the government.
    He called on government to give indigene so their can contribute to governance.
    We agitated for Mayorship but it was not given to us, we do not have state status, he lamented.
    Chief Project Coordinator of AWTR, Amb. Hannatu Usman Nga Kupi bemoaned the sympathetic state of FCT indigenes and women .
    We not not have hospitals and the general hospitals are in deplorable state.
    She urged women in the 17 Kingdoms in the FCT to be bold to speak out for their rights which has long eluded them, adding that however this can be achieved peacefully and not by violence.