Cross River NAWOJ Seeks Increased Participation To End Violence Against Women

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Cross River State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has raised its voice against all forms of violence against women and the girl child.

The association, in a statement signed by its chairman, Mrs. Umo Basi-Edet and made available to CrossRiverWatch said as the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, there was need for more people to join the campaign as it affects all of humanity.

The United Nations set aside November 25 every year to raise awareness on the violence against women and girls. Its Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defined violence against women as, “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

And, women journalists in Cross River in the statement issued on Sunday in Calabar, said: “We have watched with excruciating pain, the increasing spate of this menace as witnessed in the alarming rate of Child rape and abuse especially in the case of little Ochanya.”

The statement further read: “In Cross River State, the story is not different as despite the lack of comprehensive statistics a quick check will reveal results similar to research which shows that 1 in every 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime caused mostly by an intimate partner.

“Such violence manifests in various forms including physical, sexual, psychology and emotional.

“It is sad to note that the adverse psychological, sexual, and reproductive health consequences of violence against women and girls affect women at all stages of their life.

“This remains an obstacle to achieving equality, equity, peace and development, as well as the fulfillment of the human rights of women and girls.

“We in Cross River NAWOJ believe that a truly free and well trained girl and woman impacts positively on the society.

“Therefore, we call on all stakeholders to join the campaign to end the violence against women and girls after all, if you build a woman, you build the society.”