Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria(WOWICAN) has launched and sensitised traditional and religious leaders on prevention of violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
The sensitisation programme organised by WOWICAN in conjunction with UN WOMEN took place on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 at Farmers’ Cooperative Building, Ayetoro-Oke in Kajola Local Government, Area of Oyo State.
In her address, General Lady Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Ayobami Akinadewo, National Chairperson of WOWICAN in Nigeria said the programme took place at the council area, because Kajola LG has highest percentage of Gender-based violence in Oyo State.
The General Lady Superintendent called on traditional and religious leaders to ensure that the message on prevention of violence against women and girls, is brought to the knowledge of all congregations at their various places of worships.
Dr Akinadewo charged men and women to come together, close all cracks and mutually ensure that love, oneness, unity, togetherness and peaceful coexistence reign for the sake of one another.
Oyo State Chairperson of WOWICAN, Lady Dr. Patricia Amaechi Obi hinted that the project, which was at the instance of ‘Traditional and Religious Leaders on ending Gender-Based Violence through advocacy, policy and social norms change in Nigeria and West Africa(LEAP).
She reiterated that the LEAP project that took place in Kajola LG, was to call attention of all religious and traditional leaders on the need to sensitise men and women in their respective places of worships on why they should live together harmoniously.
Dr Dare Olagoke Adaramoye, the Executive Director, Trailblazer Initiative in Nigeria, spoke extensively on socio-cultural and religious norms on Gender-Based Violence(GBV) and dangers that associate with circumcision of female children in the society.
In their good will messages, HRM Oba Najeemdeen Afolabi Osuolale, the Gegun of Ayetoro-Oke, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) in Ayetoro-Oke, Evangelist Amos Ogunwuyi and Mufti of Ayetoro-Oke, Alhaji Ibrahim Funsho Arowolo, who was represented by Mallam Badiru Sakariyau thanked the organisers and however pledged that the purpose of the programme would be conveyed to all appropriate quarters.
The programme had in attendance of WOWICAN executives, religious leaders, political leaders, women of various religious denominations and others respectively.
