Women’s Day: Group moves to tackle violence against women, girls

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Virgin Heart Foundation, has decried the increasing tempo of violence against women and girls in the country.

The group therefore urged critical stakeholders in the communities to tackle underlying social norms, attitudes and behaviors responsible for the ugly trend.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Peace Dike, said enforcing community action towards ending all forms of harmful sociocultural norms that promote violence against women and girls should be the responsibility of everyone.

Dike, who stated this while briefing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, advised perpetrators of the obnoxious practice to think twice before making widowhood women’s only path to power.

She said Virgin Hearts was established three years ago with the mission to evolve a just society that promotes and protects women’s rights, gender equality and inclusive environment for women/girls.

Dike disclosed that the Foundation had recorded resounding success in a number of communities and villages such as those in the Ahiazu Mbaise council area of Imo state and had established partnerships with traditional institutions and women organizations and had applied advocacy measures all geared towards eliminating the monster.

According to her, efforts of the Foundation to promote gender equality, address stereotype women inclusiveness in policy making, partnership with local women led groups, community stakeholders social movements and supporters for sustainable policies and practices had begun to bear fruits.

“We engage the men in the various communities because we believe they have a crucial role to play in this crusade and we are training and retraining them to be part of what we are doing”.