There has been a lot of cases of violence against women in recent times. Flashback and you find girls who have been raped, assaulted and murdered by the people they trusted and loved. To change the gruesome trend many have joined the campaign against all forms of violence against women and the girl child.
The recent International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was a great opportunity for women across the nation and the world to come together to add their voices to this campaign as well as chart a way forward.
Business and Professional Women (BPW) Nigeria participated in the campaign with activities across the country. In Lagos, BPW Lekki club, supported by other BPW clubs in Lagos had an outreach at the Gbaja Girls High School, Surulere.
“It is important to sustain the campaign and help those who are already victims. We all know that for far too long, impunity, silence and stigma have allowed violence against women to escalate to pandemic proportions. We need to work together to make life better for our women,” urged Mrs Vivienne Ooche Bamgboye, President, BPW Lekki Club.
On her part, Mrs Ify Osineme, first vice president, BPW Nigeria said the organisation would continue to play its role as change agents. “We must hear the stories of the women and create an atmosphere that is violence free for the younger generation.”
A short documentary tagged #HearMeToo, captured the challenges women are faced with talking to a cross section of Nigerian women . The teachers and students showed enthusiasm about the issues around violence, knowing their rights, challenges and what to do when they find themselves in a crisis.”
The international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.
Advocates understand that while the names and contexts may differ across geographic locations, women and girls everywhere are experiencing extensive abuse and their stories need to be brought to light.
