Minister Tasks Women Group On 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, has tasked the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) with the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as the world begins 16 days of activism on November 24.

Tallen made the call in Abuja weekend, in her address at the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) 2021 Reunion and Mediatrix Awards held on the theme: "Think and Act with the Heart of Mary".

Represented by Princess Jummai Idonije, Special Assistant Technical to the Honourable Minister, she expressed worry over the continuous rise in GBV, stressing the role of women in bringing the menace to an end.

"The 16 days activism is commencing in a few days and I urge you all to join the campaign to ensure that GBV is brought to a halt. We want you to join the ministry to change the negative narrative of women in Nigeria.

"Women can no longer be silent when all around the world women, children are longing to be free and they are hungry and crying out loud," she said.

"The role of women especially the catholic women is to stand in solidarity with the less privileged in the society as the CWO usually do with their charity works, corporal works of mercy and so on which have stood them out amongst other women," she added.

Earlier, the Chaplain of CWON Rev. Fr. Kale Francis, described the CWO as the most organised group in the Catholic Church worldwide, urging them to keep up the good work, be prayerful and always wait on God's time for their prayers to be answered.

In her keynote address, the immediate past President of the CWON, Mary Nkiruka Imaezue, called on all to be selfless in service to God and humanity, just as the theme of this year's reunion says.

"The theme calls us to think and act with the heart of Mary always, we can do this with a true spirit of sacrifice to bear good fruits. We should offer selfless service to God and humanity.

"Despite the economic meltdown, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and violence, we unite our sufferings with the sacrifice of Jesus for the sake of God's kingdom," she said.

In her welcome address, the Acting CWOAA President Ebele Okoye said the reunion was an annual meeting point of all Catholic Women in Abuja Archdioceses to celebrate God's mercies and compassion, stating that it didn't hold in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

"We give God thanks for allowing us to be among the living. The covid-19 pandemic did not allow us to celebrate in 2020 coupled with insecurity and poverty which affected the women but we thank God we are here today to celebrate," she said.