By Nabob Ogbonna,
A Non Governmental Agency under the auspicious of Neighborhood Environmental Watch (NEW) Foundation yesterday charged Indigene of Isuikwuato Local government area of Abia state to step up advocacy on harmful social norms against women and men in their families and society at large.
The Executive Director of the foundation Dr. Kelechukwu Okezie made this call yesterday during the training of selected stakeholders of Isuikwuato extraction held at Umuobila playing ground in Isuikwuato Local government area of the state.
Okezie who further taught on the aims of the programme stated that it was targeted at equipping the men with knowledge and skill as positive bystanders towards changing stereotypes toxic gender norms which for years has limited the abilities of both male and female in the area from achieving their potentials.
He informed the participants that gender based violence is a crime against humanity, stating that a change on those patriarchal norms which were inherited from their forefathers, were necessary.
According to him, “Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation in partnership with African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development and with support from Ford Foundation’ brought you here today to train you and become a partner of Male Feminism and Gender Justice ambassadors.
“Also, is to deconstructing Gender and Patriarchy, Masculinities, Power and Privileges, and to understand gender based violence and as well becoming an effective Male ally in Building a feminists Network in your families and society.
“And know it that gender based violence is a crime against humanity, “he stated.
He noted that the foundation in conjunction with it’s foreign partners were committed in building and integrating vibrant men community feminist so as to champion true social justice in other local Government areas of Abia and the south east states.
Okezie emphasized that the eliminating all forms of human violence in the five states of the south east remains a top priority, owing to the fact that it would advance good governance, economic growth and inclusiveness of male and female in every society.
“And to do this, we want your inclusion into this project. And we wouldn’t only stop here, we are also committed to take this campaign to other communities in the south east region so as to advance good governance and economic growth,”he stressed.
The facilitator of the training, Dr Chukwuemeka Okoro in an interactive and participatory presentations called on the participants to relieve lived cultural practices and norms, noting that some harmful practices were against social justice and equity.
“Ending all forms of gender based violence and to promote rights of all gender and sustenance, where no one is abused, marginalised or discriminated are the core principles of your inclusion as feminists,”he noted.
However, the participants were guided through the nature of gender-based violence, the social forces that sustain it, and the impact it has on families and community development, including those patriarchy practices rooted in tradition which causes harm in the area.
In an interview with Insideoutnews, Chief Cyril Odomanam, thanked the NEW leadership and it’s partners for organizing such a programme which he described as timely.
“And I’m using this opportunity to also call on the Neighborhood Environmental Watch foundation to come again why because the programme was very impactful and I believe that there are more critical areas left untouched, essentially in the area of norms, inequality and cultural practices in our land,”he stated.
Insideoutnews learnt that the training was aimed at transforming community mindsets and strengthening the network of male allies working to end Gender Based Violence.