By Archibong Jeremiah
Network of Men Leaders to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Calabar South and Calabar Municipal has been inaugurated in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The network is part of the spotlight initiative to eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is initiated by the European Union and United Nations and implemented by African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).
At the inauguration and training for members of the network, Mr. Monday Osasah Executive Director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development over emphasized that the need for the network is long overdue.
Mr. Osasah maintained that for the spotlight initiative in Nigeria vision which aims at supporting Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices be achieved, men and boys have roles to play.
He went on to list three types of gender based violence and they are: psychological, sexual and socio-economical. According to him the roles of men and boys in eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls include putting the problem in the correct perspective, know what constitute an act of VAWG, be an ally, lead by example, be a role model, challenge language and behavior, take action and leverage the power of social media to change the narrative.
The duration of the project is thirteen months (November 2019 – December 2020). The inauguration and training held Tuesday received goodwill messages from the Cross River State Government, Clan Head of Efut Abua, Clan Head of Ikpa-Ohom, State Commissioner of Police, Girls Power Initiative, Women International League for Peace and Freedom Nigeria, UN Women and UNFPA.
The project is been implemented in three LGA’s namely: Calabar South, Calabar Municipal and Obanliku. The team will also inaugurate the Obanliku chapter soon.