Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria, in partnership with Lions International, District 404 A1, Nigeria, and Project Alert have organized a symposium to empower young girls against violence.
The event organised to address the theme of 2023 International Women Day: “ Digital: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, was attended by female students in Lagos and Ogun states.
In her remarks, the first female governor of Rotary International District 9110, Omotunde Lawson, noted that the media is replete with stories of gender-based violence at home or in the streets, many of which are with gory endings.
She stressed the need for equal opportunities for males and females. Lawson disclosed that gender inequality is a socio-cultural phenomenon, which divides people into various categories like male and female, placing one less than the other.
She said: “Although the event is designated for women, it will not be complete without focusing on girls who are the upcoming women, hence the special empowerment training put together for them as part of the Women’s Day Celebration.”
Founder/Executive Director Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, who spoke on ‘violence against women’, said the malaise has continued to manifest itself in new forms and trends against women and girls in Nigeria.
Effah-Chukwuma said violence against women manifest in physical and verbal abuse to rape and even murder. She called on relevant authorities to do more to tackle this menace.
She said: “Gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a global pandemic that affects one in three women in their lifetime.
“The most common acts of violence against women in Nigeria, include sexual harassment, physical violence, harmful traditional practices, emotional and psychological violence, socio-economic violence and violence against non-combatant women in conflict situation.
“It is evident that relevant authorities ought to do more to tackle this menace.”
