The Abia State Governor, Okezie lkpeazu has inaugurated the State Action and Technical Committees on Gender Based Violence, with a charge on them to formulate and execute policies that will ensure total reduction and eradication of gender based violence in the State.
Speaking while inaugurating the two Committees at the Government House Umuahia, Governor lkpeazu disclosed that Government having noted with concern the increasing rate of gender based violence in the State, country and world at large, deemed it necessary to constitute the two Committees to ascertain how gender based violence can be reduced to the barest minimum and ensure that the women folk live normal lives devoid of pain occasioned by violence meted on them.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu expressed worry over the violence suffered by women in higher institutions and homes, including the issue of rape, wife battering and abuse of the girl child by parents and called on the State Action and Technical Committees to develop and implement policies around gender based violence and child protection, in addition to forming wider network for Community Action on Gender Based Violence.
He further charged them to advise government and relevant stakeholders on the response and prevention of gender based violence, facilitate awareness and also provide trainings for Agencies and Partners, to articulate, advocate and sensitize the public on issues related to Gender Based Violence, as well as initiate and situate policies that will protect the rights of the child, women and vulnerable groups among others.
The State’s Chief Executive reassured Abians that the present administration is determined to ensure that at the end of the exercise, Gender Based Violence will be totally eradicated in the State and expressed optimism that with the exposure, experience, pedigree and Calibre of members of the two important Committees, they will give a good account of themselves and deliver on schedule.
Responding on behalf of the two Committees, the wife of the Governor and Chairman of the State Action Committee on Gender Based Violence, Mrs Nkechi lkpeazu represented by the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Chief Mrs Ukachi Amala pointed out that the importance of the two Committees cannot be overemphasized considering the wickedness meted on the girl child in the society and promised that they will leave no stone unturned to bring an end to the menace.
The State Action and Technical Committees members are drawn from Heads of Ministerial and Non Ministerial Agencies, representatives from office of the wife of the Governor, FIDA, Child Protection Agency, Law Enforcement Agencies, the Vicar Hope Foundation, Chief Press Secretary, office of the wife of the Governor, Abia State Orientation Agency, NCWS, the BCA, NLC, State Council of Ndieze, CAN, among others. It has Mrs Charity Mbaja and Chinyere Nwogwugwu the Desk Officers of the Ministry of Women Affairs as the Secretaries.
