By Cleopatra Eki

Association of Women in Governance (AWIG) and concerned Nigerians, have appealed for an urgent end to violence against women and girl child in the country.

The appeal was made at a one-day panel discussion with the theme “End to violence against women: When?” which was held in Lagos.

AWIG president and chairperson, Dr. Bridget Gold, stressed the need for continuous sensitisation by governments at all levels and appropriate agencies of government as well as in the media and Nigerian schools.

She said: “We all join our voices to call for an urgent end to violence against women in Nigeria. We are challenging government at all levels in the nation, organisations, civil society bodies and the society in general to put an end to inhuman and demeaning practices against women.”

Gold emphasised that the women, girls and children are most vulnerable and therefore, worse hit the ill-treatments.

The panelist pointed out that the need to end violence against women is globally urgent and needful, hence, the United Nations (UN) declared a day globally as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”

Among the five-member panel of discussants were the moderator, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho; an Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of education, Mr. Olaleye Folorunsho Bolaji; Chief Education Officer, Education District VI, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Onabanjo Gbemisola Fatima; the guest speaker and Agency Manager, American International Insurance Company (AIICO), Margaret Osakwe.

Others were Proprietress, Elm Montessori School, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos State, Mrs. Love Agbebaku and Protocol Officer, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ikeja Lagos, Mr. Michael Imong.

There was also a school debate to create awareness, sensitise and proffer solutions to the menace.

The inter-college schools’ debate was on the Topic: “Women Are the Cause of Domestic Violence,” involving five Lagos-based schools – Greenbells College, Krystalbal College, Dominican College, Boxworth College and the host school – Murtala Muhammed Airport Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos.

The highlight of the event was the handover of prizes to the three winners of the debate by Dr. Gold.