The National Orientation Agency,(NOA), has taken the fight against Gender-Based Violence(GBV) to communities across Nigeria.
Mrs Theresa Maduekwe,Director, Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilisation, made this known when she led the NOA delegation to the Chief of Karu Palace in Abuja.
According to Maduekwe, NOA is leveraging on its wide reach across the country to address the menace of GBV.
“NOA is bringing the fight against gender-based violence to the heart of communities across Nigeria.
“We are kick-starting by taking the message to Junior Secondary School (JSS) Galadimawa Abuja and the Chief Palace Karu, Abuja.
“This is part of activities to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“The aim is to spark conversations and raise awareness for a violence-free Nigeria. The activity will run from Nov.25th to Dec. 10th.”
Maduekwe said that GBV is a crime and does not show love for one another .
“Violence whether against children, against men, against women, in the home, schools, on the streets or even in the market place is not good.”
She called on everyone in the community to join hands to end GBV because it does not encourage progress and unity.
She said that NOA has lined up activities to tackle GBV adding that from the Nov. 25th to 30th, there would activities in schools to senaitise students on GBV.
She added that NOA would also engage traditional and religious leaders to fight against GBV.
She said that the 16 days of activism programme would come to an end on Dec. 10th with a road show to mark the International Human Day.
She said that the activities would help to strengthen the knowledge base of parents, guardians, and caregivers in rural communities on the need to invest in children to ensure a better future and protect them from GBV.
Responding, Sa’Karuyi of Karu Chiefdom, Joseph Narayi,appreciated NOA and the Director-General Mallam Lanre Onilu, for wonderful work he is doing.
Narayi said that before now ,cases of GBV were always covered in the community because people hardly come out to talk.
“My council and I are willing to work with NOA to address GBV.
“We will support NAO to continuously spread the message against GBV.”
Narayi called on parents and guardians to always look after their wards to correct any behaviour that may likely lead them to perpetuate GBV in the future.(NAN)
