AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Zonta Clubs of Ibadan One and Two have canvased for the eradication of violence against women and girl-child in the society through continuous advocacy and implementation of relevant policies by government at all levels.
The two chapters of the Club made the call during the activities marking the United Nations’ 16-day of activism for the 2022 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The international campaign, held annually, holds between November 25 and December 10 to speak against violence against women and the girl child as vulnerable members of the public.
Dr. Olufunmi Adegbile, President of Zonta Club II, while addressing the press in Ibadan, on Wednesday, lamented the plights of victims of violence, noting that there are several cases of rape, brutality and exploitation without commensurate sanctions or penalties against the offenders.
Aderibigbe explained that “Zonta joins this course on yearly basis to shout it out that no to discrimination against female gender, no to wife beating, no to neglect of wives, no to widows’ abuse, no to unwelcome sexual advances, no to marital rape, no to female genital mutilation, no to girl-child labour, girl-child rape and girl-child hawking.
“No to denial of female education. When you train a young girl, you train a nation. We are saying no to early girl marriage, no to forced prostitution and abortion. We are saying no to any form of gender inequality.”
According to her, Zonta is committed to supporting the implementation of policies that protect the sanctity of women and the girl child by partnering government agencies on advocacy against abuse of the vulnerable individuals.
Dr Olubisi Awosanya, chairperson, United Nations Committee, District 18, Zonta International, said that the Club was striving towards having a world where women’s rights are human rights.
Awosanya said that “Every woman must be literate because without education women cannot make informed decisions. We want every girl to be exposed to a minimal level of education and must also be accessible to health care, legal and economic resources that will make them equitable to stand at par with the male children.
“Zonta is impacting the world through its activities, including rebuilding the lives of victims of abuse, helping them mentally, emotionally and financially to be self-reliant.”
Further reeling out the achievements of the Club globally, she said, “Over $10 million has been voted by the Zonta to end child marriage and we are glad that we are beginning to see a reduction in all the gender-based violence against women.
“When it comes to statistics, there are improvements compared to what used to be. With what we do year in UN year out, there is further reduction. To this end, we are calling on more women to join us in the. We even carry the uneducated.
“It takes time for people to buy into anything. In this part of the world, it is a man’s world. Culturally, yes, but knowledge would let you know that there is need to invest in the girl child. We want parents to be sending their girl child to school. We know that there is no religion that gives credence to beating your wife.
“The problem of most of these women is that they are not financially stable. As a woman, if you are able to feed your children and yourself, you would not stay in abusive marriage. We do not advise women to divorce but we encourage them to make informed decisions.”
During the 16-day of activism marking the year 2022 Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Zonta Club Ibadan One and Two sensitized the public on the evils of promoting gender-based violence. The members were seen counselling men, women and children at the major motor parks and markets Ibadan.
