This day last year, our mother, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, led the charge against gender-based violence. In her words, she directed that people be more tolerant of one another and that men/women should use their gifts for the purpose for which God gave them.
Today, our Chairperson and mother is now an angel, perhaps the Lord will open a window for her to look down and see that we are carrying on her good works. May I crave your indulgence that we stand and observe a minute silence in honour of our mother. May the soul of our angel, Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno rest in peace.
Please we have a condolence register outside for organizations and other relevant bodies, who may wish to pen down a word or two in honour of her.
Today we join the world for the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, a global campaign to raise awareness and mobilize action to end violence against women and girls. Statistics show that every 10 minutes around the world, a woman is killed and or violated. Femicide, which is the intentional killing of women because of their gender has become a universal problem and is the most brutal, visible and extreme manifestation of the cycle of gender based violence that women and girls endure. This year’s theme, ‘Unite to end violence against women and girls’ is apt as no individual, government or organization can tackle the menace of gender based violence alone. Despite the various successes we have achieved in tackling gender-based violence by providing prompt response to cases, medical, psychosocial, shelter and legal services, the menace appears insurmountable and hydra headed. As the world evolves, new trends of gender based violence keep arising. Now we have sextortion and technology driven violence, which is the use of digital devices, platforms and tools to facilitate and perpetuate violence, harassment or abuse against individuals or groups. This can include online harassment or cyber bulling, digital stalking or monitoring, sharing intimate images or videos without consent – Sextortion, online hate speech or discrimination, cyberstalking or threats, using technology to control or manipulate others – gas-lighting via text messages, and facilitating offline violence through online means.
Also, more recently we have had an alarmingly increasing incidences of human trafficking of our children, especially girls. It would appear that there is a cartel operating within our state, trafficking our children, including those as young as 2. Recently, one of ours, reached out to say how they were trafficked to Mali and Cote d’iviore and made to sleep with 20 men a day. They do not even get to keep the money they earn from the violation of their bodies, mind and soul, as they have to hand over everything to their madams. It will shock you that women constitute the highest number of human traffickers in the world.
Today, like the military, we have come to show our might. The Akwa Ibom State Government had adopted a multi-sectorial approach to dealing with gender based violence, which involves bringing all stakeholders including individuals, government ministries, departments and agencies, religious and traditional institutions, traditional and community leaders, women, men, youth and children groups, whether born or resident in the State to the table.
We have curated activities to last throughout the 16 days of activism starting today, 25th November, which is the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women to the 10th of December, which is the International Human Rights Day. We will be highlighting the fact that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.
We have all the 31 Local Government Gender Based Violence Response Units of the State and over 50 non-governmental organisations and donor agencies participating . From the beautiful city of Uyo to the breathtaking beaches of Ibeno, Eket, Oron, Okobo, Mbo, Esit Eket, Eastern Obolo, Udung Uko, Urue Offong/Oruko, Uruan to the tranquil beauty of Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Oruk Anam, Onna, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Etinan, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika, Itu, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ubuim, Nsit Ibom, to our culture rich Ini, Ikono, Obot Akara, Ukanafun and Essien Udim not forgetting the first local government in British West Africa, Ikot Ekpene, they will be visiting schools, churches, mosques, markets, and holding engagements with major stakeholders and community leaders. The full program of the events has been posted on our website www.akgbv.org and on all our social media handles on Facebook and Instagram. Our main focus will be calling the attention of parents, caregivers and guardians to be more intentional in parenting their children and wards. The rate of parental negligence is alarming. Parents now allow their children as young as 3, 4 or 9 to hawk goods or walk to school or other places alone exposing them to abuse or traffickers. This must stop.
On the 30th November, all of us will gather again for a self defence class for over 150 women and men who registered. You can join us.
We thank our major supporters Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, ECEWS, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Golden Initiative for All GIFA, Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace, FJDP, Mary Slessor Akan-Glo Foundation and Heartland Alliance for your consistent support and of course all our partners as shown on the banner behind me. Without you, we as government cannot succeed. Please as you carry out your activities take a lot of pictures and videos and post on all social media handles using our hastags -#16DaysOfActivism, #OrangeTheWorld, #ZeroGBVinAkwaIbom, #EndVAWG
As we strive for a world where everyone can live without fear of violence or oppression, may our unwavering determination and collective action pave the way for a future filled with promise, equality and justice.
Emem Ette, Esq
Secretary, AKSGBVMC.
