REPORTER: UJU UDUEZUE
As Anambra State Chapter of Association of Nigeria Women Journalists, NAWOJ, joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 16 Day of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, in Awka, the State Capital, the Anambra State Head of Service, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe has expressed dismay over inhuman treatment being perpetrated on women and girl child in society.
Mrs Igwegbe represented by the Chairperson Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA in Anambra State, Mrs Amara Muojeke, noted that women undergo different forms of violence including economic violence, and advised them to be economically empowered to productive and become self reliance.
On emotional and psychological violence, the Head of Service pointed out that a woman may not experience physical violence from the husband but his attitude may increase risk of developing depression, and psychological trauma which she said attracts jail term.
She condemned cases where, women and girls increasingly face harassment, exploitation and threat especially in digital spaces noting that under Cyber crime act 2025, it attracts two years imprisonment as sexual violence offenders now risk life jail sentence.
A retried Deputy Director and Head of Department, National Orientation Agency, Mr Chinedu Okwulogu enumerated different approaches to stamping out gender violence, saying that parents should try as much as possible to make their children understand that men and women are equal, in terms of giving privileges or other social advantages.
The Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, Professor Ngozi Udeh, however, enjoined journalists to always discharge their duties with outmost sincerity and fairness for the betterment of the society and nation at large.
A university teacher, Professor Stella Okuna stressed that eliminating gender based violence should be everyone’s responsibility, emphazing the need to protect, guard and support women and girls to thrive in the society.
The Chairman of NAWOJ, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika also urged women to seek help when relationship becomes toxic and not die in silence.
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Earlier, the Chairperson of the organising committee, Comrade Oby Arinze thanked the participants for making out time to attend the programme and believes that the knowledge acquired on gender violence would effect the desired changes needed in their various homes, communities and offices.
Correspondent UJU Uduezue reports that the event featured awareness walk which kicked off from Police Command Headquarters Amawbia through Eke Awka Market round about to Aroma junction .
The theme of this year’s event is, “Unite to end Digital violence Against Women and girls”.
