S’East women protest harmful practice against them

No fewer than five thousand women from the Igbo speaking states, gathered in Anambra State yesterday, to discuss on what they called harmful practices against them.

Led by Umuada Igbo President and founder Chief Dr. Kate Ezeofor, and supported by IPAS-Nigeria, the  women wept over some  of the practices against them.

The women called for the passage of violence against person prohibition (VAPP) bill by the senate, which had passed its first and second readings and referred to senate committee on judiciary, human Rights and legal matters for further legislative work.

The Umuada Igbo (Igbo Daughters) president, Dr. Kate Ezeofor, said the group was planning advocacy visits, rallies and meetings to the communities, villages and towns to educate women on their inheritance rights.

The grassroots mobilization for community sensitization, made women to deliberate on family planning, reproductive health and rights and its legal implications.

Some other issues discussed included talk on voter education by the Anambra State REC, Engr Edwin Nwatalari, while the AIG of zone 9, Usman Gwary spoke about security during and after the elkection.

The IPAS Nigeria country Director, Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje was represented by princess Nnenna Emele, the Lady incharge of IPAS- Nigeria in the South East.

Others who spoke on violent practices against women yesterday were former commissioner for education, Dr. Uju Okeke, who represented Anambra’s First lady, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano.

The former commissioner for women’s affairs in the state, Lady Henrietta Agbata, who is state coordinator, Umuada Igbo commended the women for the unity and IPAS-Nigeria for its commitment on women related issues.

The women were drawn from Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.