By: TUNDE BOLAJI – MINNA.
The rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and discrimination against People Living with Disability in Niger state has been described as unacceptable by a Non-Government Organization Global Promoters for Community Initiative (GPCI)
Project Director of the Initiative Mr Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye, made this known when he led other officials on a courtesy visit to the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Comrade Abu Nmodu, at the IBB Pen House Minna.
Mr Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye said GBV cases have reached an unimaginable proportion in the state citing a case of a father who cohabitated with his two daughters in Minna.
He also lamented over increased cases of fighting between husband and wives as well as sons and fathers.
The Project Director of GPCI said another area of concern was discrimination against People Living with Disability and called for a change of attitude by the society.
He called on the State government to domesticate a bill passed by the National Assembly, seeking the establishment of a Commission to cater for the well-being of disabled persons.
He revealed that another bill titled, Gender Equality Opportunity Bill, was before the National Assembly to ensure equal representation between men and women hoping that, the state government will also domesticate it when passed into law.
Mr. Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye, called on journalists to assist by highlighting cases of GBV and discrimination against people living with disability to the public to attract possible solutions by the authorities concerned.
He commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, for the appointment of women into various political offices and recent allocation of the Vice Chairmanship slot of local governments to women in the forthcoming council elections by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, in the state.
He then applauded NUJ for its continued support and hoped that, the partnership will be sustained for the well-being of the society.
The State Chairman of NUJ Comrade Abu Nmodu, in his response appreciated the delegation for the visit and promised to sustain the existing cordial relationship between the Union and the organization.
Comrade Abu Nmodu pledged that, the Union will support any initiative geared towards the elimination of GBV and discrimination against People Living with disability.
The NUJ boss who expressed concern over rising cases of GBV assured that, journalists will continue to educate the people on the need to give women a chance to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society .
He cautioned women not to fall to the temptations of playing the victims card rather they should rise to the challenge and speak for themselves without disrespecting men.
Comrade Abu Nmodu listed some factors inhibiting women from realizing their goals to include willingness to take the gauntlet and African premodial sentiment that any woman seeking political office is of low virtues.
However the State Chairman advised the state government to exceed the thirty five percent Global Affirmative Action to 45 percent to enable them contribute to the socio-economic development of the State.
He disclosed that, officials of the organization will be specially invited to come and enlighten journalists on their programs and activities during a Special Congress of the Union scheduled to hold soon.
The State Chairman therefore urged officials of the Initiative to always inform NUJ numbers on any identified GBV cases to enable them disseminate same to the public to guarantee a violence free society.
