A non-governmental organization, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), has advocated strong stakeholder collaboration to eliminate harmful traditional norms and practices that promote violence against women and girls in Enugu State.
Executive Director, WACOL, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, stated this recently during a one-day multi-stakeholder strategic conference organised by the NGO aimed at sensitizing and creating awareness of such ills.
Represented by the Programme Officer and Head of Communications, Mrs. Egodi Igwe, Prof. Ezeilo said, the goal of the town hall meeting was to dialogue with stakeholders at finding solutions towards eliminating harmful cultural practices that promote violence against women.
According to her, the town hall meeting is projected to adopt effective resolutions on the protection of women’s rights and elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls through tackling of harmful traditional practices and gender biased customary laws targeting women negatively.
She noted that it geared towards ensuring that solutions were reached and better life achieved for women and girls.
While also projecting the achievements of WACOL over the years in creating a society of Gender Equality, WACOL Executive Director, maintained that with positive cultural change, women capabilities could be harnessed for the development of the society.
Some of the traditional rulers and participants in their different reactions, gave their commitment to the elimination of violence against women and girl child and commended WACOL team and their partners for the initiative.
The meeting, which held at the Enugu South Local Government Secretariat, attracted stakeholders from the three senatorial districts, including traditional leaders, presidents-general, civil society groups, youths, the clergy, government officials, women among others.
The town hall meeting was organised by two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) — WomenAid Collective (WACOL) and Fifty-Fifty, in collaboration with The Ford Foundation.
The event is also in commemoration of WACOL’s 25 years of existence.
