Mrs. Onyinye Mamah
The Women Support Women for Human Empowerment and Mentorship Initiative, a non-governmental organization, has emphasized that addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) requires a collective commitment from all sectors of society.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Sunday, the NGO’s Coordinator, Mrs. Onyinye Mamah, described GBV as one of the most urgent human rights concerns facing society today.
She explained that various forms of GBV, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault, continue to impact women and girls across different communities, cutting across economic and social divides.
Mamah stressed the importance of a coordinated approach involving Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and NGOs in the South-East to effectively combat GBV and bring about lasting change.
She also highlighted the critical role of the media in influencing public perception, raising awareness, and pushing for accountability in GBV-related matters.
“From domestic violence to sexual harassment, harmful widowhood practices, trafficking, and workplace discrimination, women face numerous challenges that are often underreported,” Mamah said.
She added, “Cultural silence and societal stigma make it difficult for survivors to seek justice. Many cases go unreported due to fear, lack of legal support, or weak institutional response.”
‘’We must continue to speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and use our platforms to drive change,” she urged.
Mamah further disclosed that the organisation is planning a road walk aimed at educating the public on GBV, encouraging victims to report incidents, and promoting prevention efforts.
“As an organisation, we will continue to do our part to educate people on GBV, how to identify cases, report them and to prevent more cases from happening,’’ she said.
