NAWOJ Condemns Rising Sexual, Gender Based Violence

*Urges Victims To Speak Out

By Miriam Humbe

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, rose from its Saturday, September 2, 2023 Congress with a Communique condemning in strong terms, the rising rate of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).

NAWOJ therefore called for strict enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) and encouraged women to speak up against any form of domestic and work place violence.

In the Communique jointly signed by the
Chairperson, Comrade Annah Daniel and
Assistant Secretary, Gloria Josiah, the
Women Journalists deliberated on a wide-range of issues affecting the Association and Nigeria generally.

NAWOJ urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently take measures to cushion the effects of the administration’s abrupt removal of subsisdy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

NAWOJ also cried out that the economic crunch was putting so much pressure on many Nigerian families, especially the breadwinners and may cause aggression in families giving rise to domestic violence as well possible rise in other violent crimes.

Here’s a full text of the Communique:

*Members of the Association commended the President Bola Tinubu-led government for the appointment of women into various offices; the women journalists, however, noted that the number of women in both elective and appointive positions not up to the 35 per cent Affirmative Action as promised by President Tinubu during his campaigns.

*They appealed to the President not to renege on the country’s commitment to 35 per cent Affirmative Action and urged him to appoint more women as heads of Boards and Agencies and other positions to make up for the shortfall.

*Congress in session condemned in strong terms the rising rate of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), and encourage women to speak up against any form of domestic and work place violence; just as they called for strict enforcement of VAPP ACT.

*The women journalists also made case for increased sensitisation of women and girls on SGBV and how victims can seek redress; just as they admonished women to advance the course of other women, shun enemity amongst the gender to discourage the perception of women being their worst enemies.

*The Association raised alarm over the hyper inflation in rate of goods and services, especially food stuff, transportation, housing, as well as school fees in both private and public schools; pointing out that income/salary of most Nigerians has not increased and urged the government to be proactive in taking measures to cushion the effects of the administration’s abrupt removal of subsisdy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

*NAWOJ expressed worry that the economic crunch was putting so much pressure on many Nigerian families, especially the breadwinners and may cause aggression in families giving rise to domestic violence as well possible rise in other violent crimes.

*The Association congratulated the former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, on his well- deserved appointment as Minister of the FCT, and commended him for immediately swinging into actions with assessment of infrastructural facilities in the territory and commitment to restore the nation’s capital city to the original Master Plan.

*The women journalists raised concerns on the deplorable state of security in the FCT, especially in the suburbs, and urged the Minister to tackle the issue of rising crime rate, bad road networks, non-functional street lights, busted sewage pipes, and theft of manhole covers in the FCT.

*NAWOJ called on FCT residents to embrace the administration’s Park and Pay policy, and expressed optimism that resources generated from the policy would be invested in the development of infrastructure in the territory.

*On the issue insecurity on farm lands, NAWOJ also urged government at all levels to address the issue and consider buying off farm produce from the farmers, as well as providing storage facilities for farmers in the hinter lands so they don’t loss their produce and encourage more food production for food security, exportation to increase GDP, and job creation.