Women Leaders Rally Solidarity in Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

By Praise Chinecherem

Women’s rights leaders in Imo State have called for greater solidarity among women as a strategic tool for combating gender-based violence (GBV), discrimination and other forms of injustice against women.

The women made the call in Owerri during a one-day capacity-building training for leaders of Women’s Rights Organisations, organised by the Women Information Network (WINET) in collaboration with the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement.

They stressed that women must support one another, promote fairness and work collectively to challenge structures and practices that undermine women’s rights and equality.

Speaking at the training, Executive Director of Heal Global, Dr Bestdone Gilbert, described the programme as an eye-opener, saying it had reinforced the importance of solidarity in building a stronger women’s movement.

According to her, women should see themselves as agents of change and actively support other women in confronting challenges affecting their rights, dignity and wellbeing.

“Women need to see themselves as agents of change and support one another. Solidarity is critical if we must build a stronger movement capable of confronting the challenges women face,” Gilbert said.

Also speaking, Executive Director of Nigercare Development AID International, Dr Ijeoma Ejike, said the training had broadened her understanding of feminism.

Ejike explained that she had previously viewed feminism largely as a movement focused exclusively on women, but said the discussions at the training provided her with a deeper understanding of its principles and broader objectives.

“I had always thought feminism was exclusively about women, but this training helped me understand the concept better and appreciate its wider implications,” she said.

Earlier, Executive Director of WINET, Mrs Miriam Menkiti, said strengthening women’s organisations and building a coordinated movement were essential to advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence.

Menkiti explained that the Strengthening Women’s Movements in Nigeria (SWMN) project was designed to build and sustain an inclusive, coordinated and impactful women’s movement capable of advocating gender equality, social justice, and the economic and political empowerment of women.

She said the project was being implemented by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with WINET responsible for activities in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

According to Menkiti, WINET had previously organised similar capacity-building programmes for leaders of women’s rights organisations in Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

She said the Imo training was specifically designed to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organisations in movement building and GBV prevention, while equipping participants with knowledge of feminist leadership and intergenerational leadership.

The training featured sessions on “Understanding Women’s Movements in Nigeria,” “Intergenerational Leadership,” “Feminist Leadership for the 21st Century,” “Values of Feminism,” and “Core Leadership Skills.”

The sessions were facilitated by Menkiti; WINET Programme Manager, Mrs Ijeoma Obinna-Onwuka; and WINET’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer and Gender Desk Officer, Mrs Chinelo Dim.

Participants were also introduced to A Reader on Feminist Thinking and Practice in Nigeria, compiled and edited by Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and Fabia Ogunmekan, with copies distributed to some participants.

Twenty-five leaders of women’s rights organisations participated in the training, which forms part of broader efforts to strengthen women’s movements, promote collective action and enhance the capacity of women-led organisations to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Nigeria.

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