Introduction
The Initiative for Women and Girls Right Advancement (IWOGRA) paid advocacy visit to His Royal Highness, Bawa Jetta, Etsu Jikwoyi Palace, Jikwoyi Community, Abuja, on Saturday, 8 August, 2020. IWOGRA team was comprised of Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam, Founder of IWOGRA, Sheila Audu, Deputy Director of IWOGRA, Uwaila Omosigho, Program Manager and Eucharia Bisong, IWOGRA Volunteer.
Objectives
- To enable us present our intentions to His Royal Highness and get his buy-in as regards educating grassroots women and girls in Jikwoyi Community on the provisions of 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 victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam, Founder of IWOGRA intimated His Royal Highness on the purpose of the visit and stated that in Nigeria women and girls in rural areas are more vulnerable to discrimination and violation of their rights. One thing is certain that there is violence against women and girls everywhere in the society and we cannot deny that fact or hide from it and the impacts of these violations affects all of us. The persistent increase in the reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls became an issue of concern not only to the organization but to the country as a whole. This made the organization to extensively discuss and decide to sensitize the women and girls in the community.
His Royal Highness commended the organization on their selfless efforts in seeking for his approval and collaboration in tackling sexual and gender-based violence in the Community. He went further to pledge his support and asked that a two weeks prior notice be made to the date of the proposed training to enable him properly mobilize the community women and girls for the training as well as for free legal counseling.
His Royal Highness also requested that plans be put in place to also train the community men and boys on tackling sexual and gender-based violence in the community. In response to his request, Nkechi Obiagbaoso-Udegbunam assured him that the organization will put plans in place to step down same training for the community men and boys.
Closing Remarks
Sheila Audu, Deputy Director of IWOGRA gave the closing remarks. She appreciated His Royal Highness and his Chiefs for the warm reception and positive responses. She assured him that the organization is committed to her Mission and Vision and will act accordingly.
