By Dare Akogun
The collaborative efforts aimed at tackling sexual and gender based violence, women participation in politics, women empowerment and related issues in Kwara State have been described as encouraging, despite the multifaceted challenges.
The Canadian High Commission and Team lead of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) project monitoring Carmen Sparrow, stated this in Ilorin at GLOHWOC during her visit to the state.
The fora were organised by Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) to bring together officials of Global Affairs Canada and Action Aid in Nigeria with Members of the Kwara State Multi- sectoral Prosecution Committee on Sexual and Gender Based Violence as well as community based organisations and beneficiaries of the Women Voice Leadership Project.
According to Carmen, “GAC prioritises women’s health, gender equality, political participation, economic empowerment and access to finance which is why through GLOHWOC it funded activities to empower several women economically.
In her remarks the International Assistant from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Josephine Obanyan, noted that the organization is excited to hear and see many success stories and support from government agencies and Civil Society Organisations which is giving women at the grassroots economic empowerment and change of orientation.
Also speaking, Nkechi Ilochi-Kamry Head of Programmes and Noro Bature Programme Coordinator of Action Aid Nigeria noted that Kwara has given a good account of its execution of the Women Voice and Leadership Project(WVL) which is an intentional effort to have a safe space for women and girl children in the society and be a catalyst for women empowerment.
In her speech, Hon Commisioner, Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs, Hon Hassanat Ahmed noted that the contributions of women to social development of the State cannot be downplayed, hence they should not be left behind but must be supported and assisted.
The Commissioner commended Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman for his commitment to women in governance and pleaded with other stakeholders to do more for Women in the area of gender equality and empowerment.
The Honourable Commisioner, Ministry for Social Development Kwara, Hon Bosede Aremu recounted with delight, the impact of the Shelter home provided for victims of sexual and gender based violence at Amoyo and commended GLOHWOC for providing succor and relief to women through the support of GAV and AAN.
The Chief Executive Officer of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) Mrs Christy Oluwole Abayomi, who was full of appreciation to the donors and the beneficiaries appealed for increased budgetary allowance and financial support both from government and donors to ensure the sustainability of efforts already put in place as far as SGBV, women empowerment, women participation in politics are concerned.
Abayomi noted that through the support of Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria in Kwara, the VAPP law has been signed into law, a strong network and working relationship has been established among stakeholders, communities are being sensitized and educated about gender based violence and as many more victims report cases, at least two convictions have been secured with perpetrators bagging life imprisonment and death sentence.
Earlier at the interaction with SGBV Multisectoral Case Management Committee, the State Director National Orientation Agency Mr Olusegun Adeyemi , Barrister Jumoke Olaoye, State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission and the Chairperson of the SGBV Prosecution Management Committee, Mrs Balogun emphasized the need to continue to provide capacity development and resources to state and non-state actors through training on a comprehensive approach to gender-based violence prevention, risk mitigation, and response to disclosures and safe referrals.
Other stakeholders at the event including Olive Community Ddevelopment Initiative(OCDI) and CONCED presented their scorecards and called on government, international donors and well meaning Nigerians to stand with women and girls to take firm action to end the violence
Other various speakers called on stakeholders to double commitment to help create a violence-free society where the rights of every woman and girl are respected and protected by all, today and every day and everywhere in public, at home and in workplace.
Highpoint of the event was the mini trade fair where products such as body cream, hair cream, air fresheners, local fabrics produced by beneficiaries of the project were unveiled.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of United Nations Women, HRM Olojoku of Ojoku, Civil Society Organizations, Ministries Departments and Agencies, NAPTIP, NSCDC, NUJ, FOMWAN, WOWICAN, NPF, INEC among others.
