WIFE OF ABIA GOVERNOR MRS. NKECHI IKPEAZU(C) CHEERING ABIA WOMEN DURING AWADEC CONFERENCE
The Convener of the Abia Women August Delegate Conference(AWADEC) and the Wife of Abia Governor Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, said that it is about time women start taking positive action to change conditions in their lives and to improve their status and wellbeing.
The Governor’s wife who stated this in a conference that took place at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, explained that the theme of the conference which revolves about women “choosing to challenge ” is not about women challenging or causing chaos in the society rather it is about women taking their destiny in their hands.
According to her, “women are home builders, home makers and have the capacity, resilience, tolerance, power and love to make the society a better place for all”.
Mrs. Ikpeazu, also call on the Nigeria Government to come up with a legal response that is commensurable with the burning challenge of gender based violence adding that in Abia robust interventions have been made in the area of data gathering, GBV technical and action committees and a resource centre where ideas, strategies and actions are developed to combat gender based violence.
The Abia First Lady, further express that in the past 6 years, AWADEC has enriched lives directly by empowering women through a revolving – zero interest loan scheme which already has been adjudged successful.
“Hundreds of women from the 17, LGAs of the state have had this scheme injected into their businesses and they are progressing ” she said.
Earlier, the State Governor, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, stated that the present administration will continue to encourage, empower and support Abia women to tackle inequalities and violence against others in the society.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir. Ude Oko Chukwu, described this year theme choosing to challenge as a wake up call that underscores the need and importance of women collectivism in purpose and action against gender based violence.
In her keynote address, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, said that every woman is a leader.
She expressed that women all over the world are making tremendous progress and the Nigeria women should not be exception.
According to her, “the rights of women and the girl child are inalienable rights of humanity, laws subjugating women to abuse are obnoxious and should be thrown to the dust bin ” she said.
Ezeilo, maintained that women movement have come of age and women have decided to challenge the status quo because they want their tomorrow to be better than their today.
In her remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Jane Omereonye, said that the Governor’s wife has set a platform for Abia women where they discuss issues concerning them and their social space.
WIFE OF ABIA GOVERNOR MRS. NKECHI IKPEAZU(C) CHEERING ABIA WOMEN DURING AWADEC CONFERENCE 
