2023 : Awareness Walk By W4W/He4She : Theme : Women Voices Must be Heard/Campaign Against Gender Based Violence … Hajia Binta Ibrahim

SPEECH BY FCT COORDINATOR WOMEN FOR WOMEN  W4W/HE4SHE. HAJIA BINTA IBRAHIM ON THE OCCASION OF THE AWARENESS WALK. 

THEME: 2023 ELECTIONS. WOMEN VOICES MUST BE HEARD/CAMPAIGN AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE.

DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 9TH 2022.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this very important event of an awareness walk, hosted by our noble organisation Women for Women, HE4SHE FCT chapter. It is my pleasure to welcome you all.

The Women for Women community is a Women led movement founded in 2018, with the core mandate to mobilise Women, youths and the male HE4SHE towards sensitisation and participation in the political scheme of affairs in Nigeria. We are non-religious, non-cultural and non-tribal.

Chairperson FCT W4W/He4She Hajia Binta Ibrahim poses with former President NAWOJ and Founder INWOAD Amb Evelyn Onyilo

In line with our objectives, We decided to mark this ceremony as our own way of adding our voice to the issues of women in politics in particular, as well as campaign against gender based violence that is prevalent in our communities. As an organisation, we will always say NO first to gender based violence. Because we realised that apart from domestic violence, there is also Physical, political violence against women before, during and after elections. 

Chairperson W4W Hajia Binta Ibrahim with Chief Monique Founding Member W4W

We’ve seen instances where women have been burnt to death, like the Salome case in Kogi state and of recent, the lady from Kaura Local Government in Kaduna State from the Labour Party that was assassinated gruesomely. So we say NO to such violence against women.

People complain that women do not rise to participate in politics. But we know that violence has made politics very unattractive for our women. So we call on law enforcement agents, political parties and all stakeholders to provide the necessary security for our women.

The political space must be peaceful and accommodate all voices and the political spaces and actors must be tolerant of discerning voices and opposing voices. So that women who are people of peace will be able to participate without fear or hindrance. That is why we are organising this walk today. 

Former NAWOJ Leaders Amb Evelyn Onyilo, Publisher Phenomenal People and Ekemini Ladejobi, NAN.

We want to thank the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, HE Dame Pauline Tallen for always rising to the occasion, when issues of women are brought up. She has led from the front always showing exemplary leadership, she has been supportive of all groups and women organisations especially to us in the Women for Women FCT chapter. We want to say a very big thank you to her, for her support. 

We call on Nigeria Women to be unrelenting, not to give up, not to be afraid. To come out and participate in elections, vote and be voted for as 2023 approaches. Our appeal is that, women should not allow themselves to be used as thugs but rather as peacemakers. 

As for the 16 days activism against gender based violence, this is our own way of lending our voice that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Women are not objects to be beaten, killed or maimed in relationships. We appeal to the male gender to soft peddle and also advice our women that when you are in a relationship that is toxic and hurting, where you are beaten and violated, simply go to NAPTIP and report, or the Ministry of women affairs, or other women organisations, lay your complaints and get support. 

Thank you very much. 

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