Ositadimma Women Org partners Side by Side Movement to sensitize schools, communities on ending violence against women, girls

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

An organization; Ositadimma Women Organization that educates grassroot women on how they can join their fellow women to add great value in the society has in collaboration with Side by Side Movement (Network of Faith Leaders) for Gender Justice, engaged on a sensitization tour to Schools and communities in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, to speak against violence against women and girls.

The tour was embarked on Thursday, by the President of Ositadimma Women Organization, and SA to the Imo State Governor on Women Mobilization, Lady Irene Ukanwa, her Vice, Nneoma Adeze, her Secretary, Hon. Mrs Ego Aririatu, and the Matron of the organization, Lady Mrs Ibezim Ngozi.

Meeting with the students of Umuduru Community Secondary School made up of both boys and girls, Lady Irene averred, ” for the past three days, we have been moving around to acquaint you, the younger generation of the ills that are going on in the society which most of you have been hearing of. This is about Gender Injustice; a bad act against women and girls, even boys, but we are focusing more on women and girls because it is more predominant among them.

“By this we are talking about those violent acts against women and girls such as Rape, Domestic Violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Widowhood practices, early marriage, among others. We are hammering on these issues because it is on the rise in our society and the painful thing about it is that some of the victims are dying in silence, as there is no one to speak for them. 

“When a child is being raped, instead of the community to help ensure such child gets justice, they will allow for money to be used to cover up the crime, especially when it has to do with a prominent person in the community. That should not be condoled for the repercussions for such crime is for the perpetrator to face the full wrath of the Law as provided in the VAPP Law. Even anyone found covering up such act is also penalized as provided by the Law.

“The issue of FGM is another thriving issue which has caused more harm than good to our girl-child. Most of the women have difficulty in given birth because of it, some don’t enjoy the pleasure of being married, some have bleed to death because of it, and many other challenges as a female child is not meant to be circumcized.

“Widowhood practices where a woman will be made to pass through many horrible things, or chased out her husband’s house because she did not give birth to a male child, and refused to be acquired as a property by another man, should be stopped and abolished in the society. Both male and female child are equal in the eye of God and the Law, and so there should not be any discriminated among them.

“Domestic Violence has led many women to their untimely death because they refused to speak up, or did not have anyone to fight for them. It is also the same with early marriages where under aged girls are given to men old enough to be there father or even grandfather.

“Ositadimma Women Organization, and the Side by Side Movement for Gender Justice are not elated about these happenings, which is why we have decided to reach out to you young ones so you will grow up to be responsible men and women, aid us now to begin fighting against such acts by disseminating the message among your peers, and making your parents understand the need to end such practices, ‘Lady Irene stated’.

She presented a copy of the VAPP Law to the representative of the Principal of the School, Mrs Stella Nwaokeke, and made them understand that all the aforementioned acts and penalties for it’s defaulters are all enshrined in the Law.

The organization also gave sanitary Pads and refreshment to the students.

Also Meeting with the leaders and indigens of Isiama Autonomous Community, the team related the same message to them and urged them to ensure that the right thing is done at all times.

In response, two of the leaders in the community; Chief Francis Ibekwe, and Mrs. Jecinta Duru appreciated the organization for taking it upon themselves to embarked on such sensitization.

They accepted their message, and assured them of doing their best to ensure that any obscure practice is brought to an abrupt end.

They also presented the VAPP Law to them and some refreshments.