As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, girls, and the vulnerable, the State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, in collaboration with UN Women and support from the Ford Foundation, has taken its Public Declaration campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to Ika Local Government Area.
The event, held at the Council Secretariat Urua Inyang, had in attendance the Chairman of Ika, Barr. Utibe Nwoko, his wife, Mrs. Idongesit Nwoko, and other stakeholders of the local government council who warmly received the ministry’s delegation.
Addressing the people, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Etukudo, represented by the Director of Economic Services in the Ministry, Barr. Nkechi Udoh, described the Public Declaration as a bold step towards building a safer and just society for women and girls in Ika. She emphasised that violence against women and girls constitutes a grave human rights violation that undermines their dignity and potential.
Hon. Etukudo highlighted the crucial roles of traditional and religious institutions in shaping societal norms, and called for stronger collaboration with government to stem the tide of GBV. According to her, their influence can help transform harmful attitudes and behaviors while providing protection and support for survivors, promoting gender equality, and advancing women’s empowerment. She expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his consistent support and also commended the Ika Council Chairman for his commitment to the campaign.
In his remarks, Barr. Utibe Nwoko stressed that gender based violence is not only a crime against women and girls, but also an offense against God and humanity. He warned that with the public declaration now adopted in Ika, perpetrators of such acts would face the full weight of the law.
The Programme Officer of UN Women, Mr. Nurudeen Ibrahim, conducted a sensitisation session to set the tone for the campaign, assisted by Ms. Adeola Potts-Johnson from the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF). They educated community members on the urgent need to collectively fight against GBV.
The Paramount Ruler of Ika, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Joseph Ekot, represented by His Highness, Obong Jonathan Ukpongette, the Clan Head of Achan, reaffirmed the traditional institution’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity of women and girls. He outlined abolished practices including sexual and gender-based violence in all forms, early marriage, female genital mutilation, wife inheritance, female disinheritance, outrageous bride price, and other harmful traditions that undermine women’s rights.
Goodwill messages from development partners, including UN Women, the Excellence Community Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), and WARIF, condemned all forms of GBV and pledged continued partnership in the campaign. To formally seal the resolve, an official signing of the Public Declaration was undertaken by the Ika Council Chairman, the representative of the Traditional Ruler’s Council, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, UN Women, and WARIF.
