The Solidarity Centre in Nigeria has called for support of community leaders to end Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in Nigeria especially at workplaces.

The Solidarity Centre, an international civil society organisation, made the call on Thursday at a Community Sensitisation and Awareness Campaign tagged “End Discrimination and Gender Based Violence and Harassment in the Workplace”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project titled: “Elevating Women’s Participation in the Workplace in West Africa”, had community leaders, union leaders and women groups in attendance.

Sensitising residents of Epetedo community on Lagos Island, Mrs Vanessa Edhebru, Gender Specialist, Solidarity Centre, said that the centre was creating awareness on GBVH and making people understand what the root causes were, as well as the effects and repercussions.

“The first step to changing something that is not right within a community is to first of all ensure that people understand the depth of what this particular scourge is.

“As we are here in this community, Isale Eko, some of them do not even realise what constitutes GBVH because it has become a way of life in the community,” Edhebru said.

She said that the centre was also constituting small groups of  advocates within communities  who could begin to organise and mobilise themselves to set a standard against GBVH.

Edhebru said that the Solidarity Centre worked with different unions, explaining that the centre chose the community because it had presence in the area through Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria ( FIWON).

“There has also been a need for us to elaborate on the effects of domestic violence to the workers. The community is beginning to see that there is a need for them to organise, so it is a collective effort,” she added.

Edhebru, who noted that unions and the communities must frown against GBVH, said that people must report every perpetrator of GBVH to the police for prosecution.

According to her, the awareness campaign and sensitisation will move to other communities.

Edhebru said that since the International Labour Congress Convention (ILO C19O) had been ratified by Nigeria, the centre was working to ensure how the Federal Government would domesticate and implement the international convention.

“When that is done, violence against person at the workplace and community will be addressed with a pillar such as a law, so that people can see that it is not only a criminal offence but also something that is punishable by law.

“So, there is a need for community mobilisation and awareness both for the workers and employers for us to have a society that is safe and conducive to work and be productive.

“We want people to be aware of the ills and the repercussions,” she added

Urging the victims of GBVH to speak out, Edhebru said that keeping quiet would empower the perpetrators.

She said:  “If the perpetrators get away with such an evil act, what happens is that he is empowered when nothing is done or nothing is said.

“So, there is power in speaking up and supporting those who have spoken up. There is power in bringing the perpetrators to book.

“There is need for us to work together as a community and society to see that this GBV,  every other harassment and intimidation discontinue so that our society can become what to emulate.”

Also speaking, Mrs Iyabo Arowofela-Olanrewaju, a member of FIWON, said that women discrimination and sexual harassment had become rampant in the area.

Commenting, Alhaji Abdulateef Kolawole-Ope, the Magaji-Ope, a community leader in Epetedo, Lagos Island, said that the government should come up with policies and laws to stop harassment of women in the society.

In her remarks, Alhaja Saidat Oshodi, the President of Nigeria Union of Tailors, Lagos State Chapter,  said that if victims failed to speak out, there would not be solutions to the menace.

Oshodi frowned at forceful advancement, physical harassment, sexual abuse, physical abuse and other forms of GBVH in the community.

Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill the 35 per cent affirmative action promised women during his presidential campaign.

She made the appeal on Friday in Abuja at an award night organised by Women of Worth, an oganisation set up to cebrate outstandimg women.

Tallen, who is also former deputy governor of Plateau State, said from the president’s past records, she was optimistic that Nigerian women would be given their pride of place.

She said women were an integral part of any economy and should be allowed to contribute their quota to nation building.

“I have the belief that the president will do more for Nigerian women than was experienced in the past.

“It is important to empower, educate and give Nigerian women the opportunity to explore their potentials for the
betterment of the nation.

“Rwanda for instance, where women are over 60 per cent in government, has seen a lot of progress.

“So, I can boldly say the miles Rwanda has achieved is because of the contribution of women,” she said.

Tallen said with Nigerian women being about 50 per cent or more in terms of population, there was nothing wrong if they were given even beyond 35 per cent.

She called on Nigerians to make it a point of duty to “lift the hands of a downtrodden woman and put smiles on the faces of the hungry and vulnerable”.

Mrs Beatrice Eyong, United Nations Women Representative to Nigeria, said she had no doubt that the president would fulfil his campaign promise to women.

“From some of the things I have read about our president, his past work in Lagos and what he has been saying, he has made it clear that women will be an integral part of his government.

“What I will simply say is that Nigeria does not lack competent, experienced and qualified women.

“There are qualified Nigerian women in every sector of the economy,” she said.

Eyong, who also represents Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) at the UN, said the present administration should “align with judicial texts and conventions that Nigeria had ratified.

“The Maputo Protocol which was ratified by all heads of state for instance, recommends 50/50 ratio and Nigeria cannot say it does not have women to make up 50 per cent.”

On roles of Nigerian women in the economy, Eyong said they had always contributed to national development.

She said, while Nigerian women had so much potentials, it was unfortunate that their efforts were not well recognised.

According to her, Nigerian women have demonstrated at the global stage that they are competent and have expertise in all fields.

“The Head, World Trade Organisation (WTO) for instance is a Nigerian Woman and number two in the United Nations is also a Nigerian woman and I can count on.

“Unfortunately, Nigerian women are not given much opportunity to showcase their potentials within their own country,” she said.

The women representative said constraints in the form of discriminatory laws and harmful practices that had prevented women from utilising their potentials should be removed.

On her part, Mrs Comfort Adesoye, the President, Women of Worth Awards, said it would not be out of place to give women more than 35 per cent appointive positions.

She said women had the wherewithal in terms of educational qualification and strength of character to occupy any position of authority.

“Women in every region of the economy are outstanding.

“They only need to be at the right place and to demonstrate the ability and this is because the nature of women is to multiply.

“Whatever a woman is given she gives back in multiple folds, leaving things better than she met them,” she said.

On the award night, Adesoye said it was organised to celebrate outstanding women locally and internationally.

She said the objective was to identify and “support women in their quiet little corner, empowering other women.

“It is to award women, who are bringing other women to limelight through empowerment programmes and sponsorships.”

Dr Betty Olutunde, one of the pillars of the Women of Worth, said it was time for Nigerian men to trust women enough to allow them occupy strategic positions in government.

She said women were “watching to see what the new government will do with regard to appointing women into appointive positions”.

On role of women, Olutunde said “when you support a woman you reduce poverty and the whole society will be better for it”.

Mrs Ebere Ifendu, the Chairperson, Women in Politics Forum, said Nigeria must learn to respect laws and international conventions that it was signatory to.

She said: “Nigerian women are doing exceptionally globally, but sadly we have not been given enough opportunity to showcase the stuff we are made of.

“The National Gender Policy talks about affirmative action and we are hoping that this administration will realise our worth.

“We are also hoping the role women played during the elections will be rewarded,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that highpoint of the event was presentation of excellence award to Tallen and other outstanding women. (NAN) 

Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has promised to promote endeavors that would project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria.

The First Lady, who was represented by Prof. Nora Daduut, made the pledged at the public presentation of a book titled “Strengthening the NAOWA Narrative”, on Saturday in Abuja.

The book was authored by Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.

Tinubu commended Mrs Yahaya for her resilience and wisdom in writing the book, saying it was another giant step in chronicling events of army officers’ wives.

She expressed delight that the work came from the women folk, saying it had increased the need for women to continue to document their journey, experiences and accomplishments.

According to her, the well researched book came at a time when a lot of people had almost lost interest in writing and paying attention to history.

“You have not just added to the body of knowledge in Nigeria, you have renewed our interest in writing and documentation.

“It is my own opinion that this will go a long way in enriching the lives of not only members of NAOWA, but lives of our young ones who will appreciate this piece of work as a good resource in shaping their decisions and choices that they make.

“I congratulate you, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya and your association.

“It is my prayer that you will continue to grow in strength, in wisdom and vision to the glory of our dear country.

“I want to assure you that my office would not relent in promoting endeavors that will project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria,” she said.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commended his wife for putting the idea together while at the same time providing support for him in discharging his duties.

Yahaya said the activities of NAOWA were centered in human capital development, especially women, youth, children and venerable persons and groups in barracks and the larger society.

He said the book was also centered on NAOWA as an organisation gleaming from the past experiences with some practical aspect of leadership.

According to him, it highlights the experiences garnered by the writer as she rose to the various stages and levels of NOWA from unit to brigade to division level, and now leadership position as the president.

Yahaya said leadership was always a challenging task, especially in NAOWA that was also made-up of diverse mix of people with different backgrounds, competencies and experiences.

“I therefore commend the author for successful leadership of the association so far and also for putting her thoughts to paper, which could serve as a guide to many including upcoming members.

“I believe the book is an interesting read as it gives insights into the association, its focus, aims and objectives.

“Furthermore, the principle of successful leadership, as well as many other lesson highlighted in the book, would help propel the minds of leaders towards optimal performance and achievements of leadership goals on the whole,” he said.

The author of the book, Mrs Yahaya said she wrote the book to appreciate the efforts of past leaders of NAOWA, inspire the present members and lay an enduring foundation for the future leaders.

She said the desire to impart lives especially the youth was another motivating factor that encouraged her to pen down her thoughts.

According to her, reading is a must have skill for effective leadership, adding that the book was aimed at boosting reading culture.

“The desire to write this book started when I attended a workshop comprising of participants from all military officers wives associations and in the course of the workshop, we were asked during an icebreaker exercise to mention our heroes and role models.

“Surprisingly, all of us, including myself here, were calling names such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Margaret Thatcher, and the rest of them.

“None of us mentioned any of the founding mothers of our various associations.

“That incident opened my eyes to the fact that the many heroic achievements and legacies of our founding mothers are not appreciated by many of us and therefore they have remained unsong heroines.

“Therefore, the book “Strengthening the NAOWA Narratives” is an attempt to recognise and celebrate NAOWA heroines who have made giant strides in the advancement of human capital and structural developments,” she said.

The Book Reviewer, Prof. Asabe Usman of Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto, described the book as a master piece and must read for all.

Usman said the book was written in simple language in spite of the author’s literary prowess with a view to communicate understanding to the readers.

She said the book was also borne out of the selfless nature of the author, adding that it was her desire to leave a legacy as a guide for her successor.

She said the pieces of advice packed in the book would be useful for both NAOWA and non-NAOWA members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book presentation had in attendance a number of prominent members of the society from government, business and military circles.

The Chief Launcher was the Alhaji Samad Rabiu while the former first lady and founder of NOAWA, Mrs Maryam Abacha, representative of States governors, past army chiefs and past presidents of NAOWA were in attendance.

Also, the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs as well as top serving and retired military officers graced the occasion. (NAN)