NAPTIP, Partners Embark on Awareness Roadshow in Abuja to Commemorate 16 Days of Activism
Vehicular activities were temporarily halted along some major roads within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja yesterday as Officers of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Members of the Civil Society Organization (CSOs) Development Partners, Partnering Ministries, Department and Agencies, embarked on a Road Show and Awareness Walk as part of the activities lined up for the 2022 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The Road Show led by the Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi, took off from the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Area 10 Abuja, terminated at the Unity Fountain at the Central Business District where the Director General addressed the participants.
It would be recalled that 25th November every year is set aside globally as the International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women and specifically Gender-Based violence.
It is designed to coordinate support and efforts to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence across the World.
Speaking at the end of the long walk, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi who was elated with the large turnout of participants expressed gratitude to partners and other stakeholders that participated in the awareness walk saying that it was a demonstration of collective solidarity to end Gender – Based violence.
The Director General described Gender – Based violence as a potential murder case that requires serious attention and collaboration of all partners to end it.
She urged Nigerians to rise up against Sexual and Gender Based Violence saying “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a potential murder case that must be addressed with all the seriousness it deserves. We must expose the perpetrators so that they can be prosecuted in order to deter others from committing the same crime.
“Today’s awareness walk is our collective resolve to end SGBV. So, within the next 16 Days, NAPTIP has lined up a series of activities which include Sensitization to Traditional Rulers and Stakeholders in the 6 Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, a simultaneous legal/Counselling Clinic to provide free legal Counselling services for victims and link with Protection Officers, Special Edition of NAPTIP ON THE MOVE, broadcast of VAPP Jingles produced in Gbagi, Pidgin and English as well as Survivors Co-Mentoring Series 4 among others”.
Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi assured that the Agency shall continue to respond swiftly to all cases of SGBV and thanked all partners for supporting NAPTIP.
In her remarks, the Team Leader of, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Abimbola Adewumi, said her Agency shall continue to partner with and support all efforts aimed at ending SGBV in the Country.
She tasked the media and other stakeholders with the need to scale up reports on SGBV with a view to exposing the perpetrators and enhancing access to justice for the victims.
The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello who was represented by the Acting Director, Finance of the Federal Capital Social Development Secretariat, Abuja, Mrs Grace Awe, lauded the efforts of NAPTIP and other partners in the fight against SGBV in the FCT and assured of the sustained support of the Territory.
The Awareness Walk and Road Show was a beauty to behold as it was characterized by mobile music, distribution of handbills, dancing and excitement from Officers of the Agency and partners who were all decked in an orange T-Shirt with the theme “UNITE” printed on it.
Dignitaries that participated in the Road Show include Directors of the Agency, Focal Persons of some Partnering Civil Society Organizations, representatives of some Media Partners and Mr Aondoaver Kuttuh, Former Director, of Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit of NAPTIP and now Advisor, Migrant Smuggling &Human Trafficking.
Vincent Adekoye
Press and Public Relations
