WACOAL, Others Intensify Campaign for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

Some women groups on Friday November 25, 2022, took to street in a peaceful march to commemorate the International Day for elimination of violence and harmful practices against women and girls.

The groups are WACOL 50-50 Action Women, Anambra State in collaboration with the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) and with support from the Ford Foundation.

The United Nations Day for elimination of violence against women 2022 was themed, “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls, this paper reports.

Speaking during the march in Awka, the Anambra state capital, WACOL 50-50 Action Women State Coordinator, Barr. Nkoli Ebede, described the theme as most apt and of monumental importance, while calling for joint effort to end violence against women and girls. She called for more support from men, who, according to her, were instrumental in ending all forms of obnoxious practices against women.

Also speaking, the group’s secretary, Mrs Joy Mbachu tasked the traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders on grassroots sensitization, while expressing optimism that with massive awareness, GBV would be reduced to barest minimum.

Earlier, WACOL programme officer, Mrs Egodi Igwe, represented by Mrs Nneka Anoliefo, commended women who participated in the peaceful march, while urging them to take the message to the nooks and crannies of the state. She assured that WACOL would continue to provide support especially as it concerns the quest to eliminate gender-based violence in Anambra state, Southeast and Nigeria at large.

The march attracted women from different communities in Anambra State.