ASHH Foundation, other CSOs Marks IWD 2021 with Fanfare in Bauchi

ASHH Foundation, other CSOs Marks IWD 2021 with Fanfare in Bauchi

By Bashir Hassan Abubakar

 

Attah Sisters Helping Hand Foundation (ASHH Foundation) in collaboration with other coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day with fanfare in Bauchi State calling for the protection of women against all forms of violence and speedy prosecution of all those so far arrested for such offences particular emphasis on rape and other domestic violence.

The IWD 2021 which started with a grand walk from the busy gidan mai round about in the heart of the metropolis amidst fanfare and pegentry, terminated at the headquarters of the Bauchi State police command.

While at the police headquarters, the Executive Director of ASHH Foundation, Comfort Attah said that women need to be protected given the fact that they are weaker physically.

She said that the significance of the International women’s Day was to highlight the challenges militating against women and girls realising their full potentials in life because of male domination, particularly in the underdeveloped nations.

Comfort Attah added that the first event started in 1911 where 1000 persons marched world over in the support of women and men rallied round in support of the move which has remained till today.

She explained that the women folk chose to challenge Gender based violence in all forms, saying, “we want security to be enhanced in all schools in Bauchi state in order to avert kidnapping of our children particularly the girl-child who is the most vulnerable”.

She then thanked the Nigeria Police for its efforts towards providing security in the society as well as the protection of women against gender based violence in the state which has led to arrest of suspects who indulged in the heinous acts.

On her part, the State Amirah of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim Kilishi said that FOMWAN in collaboration with ASHH Foundation joined other parts of the world to mark this years International Women’s Day to show solidarity with women folks around the world.

Kilishi said that, “since it started over a 100 years ago, men have been supporting the women in their quest to attain their rights. Today, it is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. The day also marks a call for action for accelerating Gender parity”.

She said that FOMWAN and ASHH Foundation marked the event with over 30 women led organizations and 15 allied organizations led by men in support of women and said that the various organizations are passionate about spreading the message of Gender transformation and the need for peace to reign in the society.

She called on women to critically examine their situation and challenge those obstacles that stand in their way of development with a view to overcoming them.

She also called on women to stand up against the current insecurity in the country while calling on all the sundary to dialogue towards finding a lasting solution to the menace.

According to her, women requires safe environment to engage positively in all walks of lives towards ensuring a sustainable wellbeing.

“Although women constitute 49 percent of the total population of Nigeria according to the world bank 2019, this is hardly reflected on how women benefit from development policies, projects and programs especially in political representation, access to economic tools of products and leadership.

She noted that the contributions of women to national development are usually underrated or even go unnoticed, adding that it is imperative that government takes deliberate steps to empower women with the requisite knowledge and skills as major stakeholders in national development.

She said that the NGOs were at the police command to show their gratitude to the commissioner of police and his personnel due to their roles of taking proactive measures taken to address all forms of violence against women in the state.

Our correspondent reports that ASHH Foundation, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, is currently implementing a Global Affairs Canada funded Project in Bauchi State, which is seeking to build capacities of women in taking decisions that would enhance their economic and political status in their respective communities.

 

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