The Wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi has solicited the assistance of religious leaders in fighting violence against women and girls especially fistula in the state.
Umahi made the call on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in collaboration with UNICEF in Abakaliki.
“I urge our religious leaders to please assist me to reach out to our women in your churches and communities who are down with fistula for free repair, empowerment and reintegrated into the society, ” Umahi said.
The governor’s wife said that this had become necessary as religious leaders were the closest to the people.
She expressed dismay that all efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) especially in the rural areas seemed not to yield desired results hence the need for religious leaders to assist in awareness campaigns in their churches.
Umahi pledged continued partnership with religious leaders, donor agencies among others towards ending all forms of violence against women and girls in the state.
The President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Mr Benebo Fabara-manuel called for condemnation against all forms of gender based violence in the society.
Fabara-manuel said that the workshop was designed to proffer lasting solutions to end social vices in the state and the country at large.
The President, who was represented by the General Secretary of CCN, Rev Evans Onyemara, noted that the group was creating awareness to eradicate some cultural, traditional and religious beliefs that had hampered women and girls in the exercise of their rights.
The cleric stressed that the focal point of the project would be in Abakaliki and Ezza-South local government areas of the state.
“We are here to further raise awareness of our people towards this evident evil in our society and resolved to become champions or voices for women and girls.
“Religious and church leaders have their roles to play to end the culture of silence. The Perpetrators must be exposed to end the menace,” Fabara-manuel said.
The State Chairman of CCN, Mr Lawson Elom, while delivering his key note address, commended the workshop organizers adding that it aimed at educating members to fight against violence against women and girls.
The chairman described the act as a ‘serious economic and social challenge’ in the society.
“Your coming to the state for sensitisation of the people is apt and appropriate, especially now when rape, kidnapping, child trafficking and all sorts of evil are on the increase.
“To maltreat any human being created by God is a sin,” Elom said. (NAN)