By Moses Nwite, Abakaliki
The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru in Collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and social Development has embarked on the Community Sensitisation on the Rights Of Children and Women.
The sensitisation programme is to end Gender Based Violence and all forms of Child Abuse.
Mrs Nwifuru said “all must say no to child abuse in Ebonyi State”.
The Governor’s wife is also working with all the Security Agencies and other Non Governmental organisations in charge of Gender Based Violence to achieve the goal.
“I am going to order police and other security Agencies at border areas and Motor Parks to arrest any under age child who is traveling outside the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to beg all Child Traffickers to flee from the State or face the Wrath of the Law,” she said.
The Governor’s Wife urged all Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen and Stakeholders to join in this fight against all inhuman activities.
“We should stop giving our under age children to go and be serving as house maids. On the other side, when ever you are tired with any house maid you are living with, return him or her instead of maltreating such person because I will do everything within my power to exhibit law on such offender,” she warned.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Uchenna Igwe who is the Commissioner For Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters informed that all should come and Join office of Her Excellency and the State Ministry of Women Affairs and social Development because “the effects of violence can remain in women and children for a life time and studies showed that children who have witnessed violence or have been subjected to violence are more likely to become abusers themselves”.
Also the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and social Development, Barrister Felicia Nwankpuma said her Ministry will do everything to support the wife of the Governor to end the menace in the State.
She said the Governor of the State, Mr Francis Nwifuru has made us to know that everything about women and children’s welfare is one of his top priorities in his administration, hence this Sensitisation program.
Ebonyi State Government is here by urging those who are involved in Gender Based Violence to avoid such act or face the full weight of law.
Moreso, the wife of the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Florence Odunwa encouraged all parents to stop giving their under age children for House maid.
Consequently, the wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mrs Kelechi Onah said the program will go a long way to end Gender Based Violence in the State.
Confidence Okwuchi
