Introduction
The Initiative for Women and Girls Right Advancement (IWOGRA) paid an advocacy visit to His Royal Highness, Tanko. M. Zhamiko, Esu Galadimawa Palace, Galadimawa Community, Abuja, on Friday, 9 October, 2020. The IWOGRA team that paid the visit was comprised of Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam (Founder & Executive Director), Sheila Audu (Deputy Director), Uwaila Omosigho (Program Manager), and Halimatu Sadiya Adamu (IWOGRA Volunteer).
The objectives of the visit were as follows;
- To present our intentions to His Royal Highness and get his approval and support as regards educating grassroots women and girls in Galadimawa community on the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
- To train the community women and girls on strategies for eradicating and preventing sexual and gender-based violence.
- To provide free legal counseling to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam, Founder of IWOGRA addressed His Royal Highness; she started with the introduction of the IWOGRA team and went further to intimate him about IWOGRA and what the Organization represents. According to her, the persistent and rapid increase in the reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, especially in rural areas prompted the Organization to embark on a sensitization program for women and girls in the community in order to eradicate and prevent sexual and gender-based violence against the most vulnerable in the society who happen to be women and girls. She made the purpose of the visit known to His Royal Highness and asked for his permission to carry out the training on Saturday, 17 October, 2020. She also requested for the support of His Royal Highness in selecting 40 women and girls from the community between the ages of 16-35.
His Royal Highness applauded the Organization on their efforts in seeking for his approval and buy-in for the sensitization training aimed at tackling sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in the community. He pledged his support and gave his approval for the training workshop to be held on the proposed date. He also committed to securing the village square for the purpose of the training.
Closing Remarks
Sheila Audu, Deputy Director of IWOGRA gave the closing remarks. She thanked His Royal Highness for his warm reception and pledged support. She assured him of the Organization’s commitment to making efforts in curbing sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls.