The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has called on government agencies, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and community leaders to strengthen collaboration in protecting women, children and other vulnerable persons.
Mrs. Onyekesi made the call when the State Coordinator of 50-50 Action Women, Mrs. Ugochi Ehiahunike, and her team visited her office.
She reaffirmed the Anambra State Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of vulnerable groups, commending the organisation for its efforts to promote gender equality.
The Commissioner noted that the Ministry could not address the challenges facing women and children alone, expressing readiness to explore areas of partnership with the organisation.
She added that issues affecting women remained a priority for the state government and the First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo.
In her address, Mrs. Ehiahunike said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation in addressing gender-based violence, domestic violence and intimate partner violence, as well as improving survivor support, establishing safe spaces, mobilising communities and strengthening referral systems.
Ehiahunike stressed that fairness and equal rights were entitlements, not favours, calling for improved coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective protection for women and other vulnerable persons.
According to her, survivors and witnesses of abuse often face financial and other challenges that discourage them from pursuing justice, making adequate support systems essential to ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
Mrs. Ehiahunike also advocated the effective implementation of policies safeguarding women’s rights, particularly their rights to access and own land and other property.
Members of the delegation included Mrs. Oby Odezuluigbo, Coordinator, Awka Women PG and 50-50 Awka North; Mrs. Ifenyinwa Ofordile, a lawyer with the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) and Programme Officer at its Anambra office; and Mrs. Favour Nworah, Coordinator, Awka Women Wing.
