By NewsBits
The South Sahara Social Development Organization (SSDO) has sensitised over 200 married women in Amankwo Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on the need for them to stand up for their rights and against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) during the 2023 commemoration of 16 Days of Activism.
This activity was carried out under the organization’s gender focused project called Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI). The women, who were introduced to no interest soft credit scheme, were encouraged to work as a team and “be their sister’s keeper to kick out SGBV in their community.
Mrs Blessing Uchendu, SSDO’s Gender and Protection Programme Lead, said on Saturday that the sensitisation was part of the 16 days activism meant to correct some ills in the society. Uchendu said that it is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women being celebrated from November 25 to December 10 worldwide, annually.
According to her, the Sister Guardian Initiative is aimed at assisting women suffering abuse to report their cases be it physical, economical, harmful traditional practices, emotional, etc for the issue to be handled in best professional and dignifying manner by the trained SGI executives in their community.
“We are always here training and enlightening them on the need to speak out over SGBV violence in any form and the need for them pick up courage to deal with every case of gender abuse. The SGI executives deliver by giving the following services: mediation and counselling, referral to the police or health centers, provision of safe houses etc.
“We are also involving men in the fight against these abuses to make it a holistic family affair in order to properly deal with it. The organization have also inaugurated 10 women executive to champion the initiative in the fight against SGBV in Amankwo Eke community in Udi LGA.
“SSDO work with the executives in the areas where they encounter difficulty. We do not want maltreatment of women in our communities any longer,” she said.
On empowerment for the women, SSDO introduced the Jacob’s Well Project to the women in order to enable those doing something (like petty trade) to have access to soft loans to expand their businesses and contribute to their families’ welfare and wellbeing.
Mrs Stella Ani, Coordinator of the Jacob’s Well Project, said that empowering women would make their families financially stable to reduce all forms of abuse against women. According to Ani, being financially independent will make them to start doing something and also contribute to the family, while their value, worth and respect in the family will increase as well.
“This will go a long way in reducing financial stress and pressure on the family, which is the remote cause of violence and disagreements at home,” she said. Mrs Geraldine Uzor, President of Catholic Women’s Organisation of St. Paul Catholic Church, Eke, thanked SSDO for the sensitisation and enlightenment.
Uzor said that the women in the community had resolved to work together and with SSDO to stand up for their rights and stop all forms intimidation against women. “We encourage our women and sisters to speak out and not die in silence over issues of inhuman treatment they are subjected to as well as maltreatment by their husbands,” she said.
A community leader, Elder Slyvester Mgbo, said that the community had tried over the years to abolish cultural practices against women and their freedom. “However, on the issue of SGBV; they have our support and backing as community leaders and elder. No one will be happy to hear that his daughter married out in any community is being maltreated by her husband,” Mgbo said.
