The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, and a group known as Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN) have agreed to collaborate in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violence against women, especially during elections.
The NUJ and the group also committed to fighting all other practices that affect women's participation in politics.
The agreement was reached when the leadership of Women Situation Room Nigeria, Ebonyi chapter, paid an advocacy visit to the state Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Samson Nwafor, on Tuesday, in his office at Dr. Sam Egwu Press Centre, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
In her speech, the State State Coordinator of WSRN, Lorieth Nwafor, noted that women participate actively in elections but are often confronted with violence by political actors and their supporters, which she said had made many women lose interest in the nation's political process.
She described gender-based violence and violence against women in elections as human rights violations that undermine the principles of democracy, equality, and justice.
"Women Situation Room is a Civil Society Organization that seeks to increase women's substantive participation in political process and conflict prevention in accordance with UNCR 1325.
"The Women Situation Room was created out of the understanding of the gender and dynamic nature of violence and the facts on elections or conflicts that erupt in most African countries. It, therefore, becomes imperative that women develop a mechanism to counter this pattern.
"Gender-based violence and violence against women in elections are human rights violations that undermine the principles of democracy, equality, and justice.
"In many societies, women continue to face various forms of violence and discrimination, before, during, and after post-elections," Nwafor stated.
She noted that the essence of the advocacy visit was to seek the support and partnership of the Media in the State to fight the ugly trend.
Receiving the group, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor commended them for advocating for a positive change in the society.
He noted that the agenda of the group, which was a better change in society, was similar to that of journalists and assured that the union would partner with the group to achieve its objectives.
He implored women to break the barriers that hinder them from actively participating in politics, which include unwillingness and intimidation, among others.
"Our practice, our primary assignment as Journalists, are almost the same thing as what your group is championing.
"We fight for justice, we fight for equity, we communicate to ensure that the society gets better, to ensure that we have a society where everybody will be equal, a society where everybody will get justice, a society where everybody will have freedom.
"This is what we stand for as a union and it is like we are almost on the same lane because what you are talking about is what we do as Journalists. So, be assured of our support and partnership", Comrade Nwafor told the group.END//
