Honourbirth Foundation ends 16 days of activism with visit to Oforola monarch, Eze Ajoku

By Stanley Okehie…

Honourbirth Foundation, a leading NGO that takes care of orphans, widows and vulnerable children has concluded 16 days of activism on gender based violence.

16 days of activism is a period of enlightenment to create awareness about gender based violence. It begins from November 25, (international day for the elimination of violence against women) and ends on December 10, a day set aside for the commemoration of Human Rights.

The exercise which commenced with sensitization programme organized for the students of Oforola Community Secondary School, also featured a road show and advocacy visits to some revered monarchs in Owerri West Council Area.

At the school, the Executive Director, Honourbirth Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Onyemaechi said the theme for 2022 16 days of activism is “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls.

The Executive Director, who was represented at the occasion by her Program Manager, Okafor Afoma mentioned some forms of violence such as forceful marriage, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation and child labour.

Okafor explained that all these crimes deprive women of their rights and charged the students not to indulge in any of them and report whenever their rights are trampled upon.

Head, Public Enlightenment Unit, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Nwabugwu Anne spared no effort at explaining the mandate of NAPTIP to the students.

Also, to commemorate the event, the Executive Director of Honourbirth Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Onyemaechi, on Saturday December 3, in company of Imo State Commander of NAPTIP, Ernest Ogbu, led members of the Adolescent Boys and Girls, Oforola Community Secondary School on a road show around the community.

The exercise which commenced from the palace of HRH Eze Kingsley Ajoku of Oforola Ancient Kingdom, ended at the Community Market Square where the Executive Director seized the opportunity to educate the people on their rights and dangers associated with gender based violence.

The climax of the programme was an advocacy visit to the traditional rulers of Obinze Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Enyinnaya Nzeukwu and Oforola Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Kingsley Ajoku, who, in their brief remarks, reassured of their support to ending violence against women and girls in their respective communities.