The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the European Union have disclosed that their spotlight initiative program was being intensified towards tackling rampant cases of rape, widowhood inheritance and other harmful practices against women in Ebonyi state.
Dr. Stephen Onyekwelu, Spotlight Initiative Project manager for UNESCO in Ebonyi made this known in Abakaliki during stakeholders’ and students’ movie reviews on gender-based violence. According to him, the social and human science department of UNESCO had produced a movie aimed at sensitising the populace on the need to speak out against rape.
Onyekewlu, who disclosed that the spotlight programme was being implemented in four local government areas in the state, however, lamented that issues of rape, widowhood practices continue to be reported in parts of the state despite campaigns to end them.
According to him, Since October 2019, UNESCO have been able to implement several projects in Ebonyi state and accelerated Second Chance Education covering Ezza South, Abakaliki. In 2020 the number was increased to add Onicha and Ohaozara local government and presently has four implemented local government areas in Ebonyi state which is for now the only state the world education body has reached out to four local government areas.
Dr. Stephen all revealed that these women prior to the implementation had no formal education and life skills which they are providing in this state while noting that their target is to reach out to thousands of women and girls providing them with literacy, life skills to empower them to be able to speak up on issues of gender-based violence and know their rights.
He also disclosed that UNESCO had reached at least 26,000 women and girls, including boys and men and that they had written exams. He called for the establishment of a spotlight director in Ebonyi state while emphasising that the state must ensure that the money released for the implementation agencies was properly utilised.
Onyekwelu further said that the UN lead agency also hopes to sensitise the people at the high school level as well as the higher institution level, pointing out that sex-for-mark was prevalent in higher institutions.
Mr. Atta Zubaru, a consultant to the project in his submission said the move was to let women and girls know that they had a voice and could speak out safely.
According to him, it will make them realise that they, indeed, have a voice and can speak out safely.
Earlier, in a remark, Nancy Oko-Onya, state coordinator Coalition of Eastern NGOs (CENGOs) in the state said GBV had become a daily issue in the society but women should rise to protect each other. According to her, everywhere and in Ebonyi state, it is so hidden, shrouded in secrecy that most times it will be difficult to discover.
She further admonished Widows to learn what will help them in advancing in life even as she pleaded with to know their rights so they can stand up for themselves. she also urged Women to stand and work together for the better growth of women.
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