Ministry advocating gender equality says domestic violence will reduce when women submit

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on Tuesday enjoined women to always be humble in order to reduce Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi, made the appeal  in Uyo during the 21st  National  Council Meeting on Women Affairs.

The theme of meeting is “Gender Equality: A panacea for enduring security and sustainable economic recovery in the post COVID-19 era”.

Adebiyi, who noted that women’s lack of submissiveness had broken many homes, said that humility on the part of Women would  reduce  SGBV.

He also reminded women, particularly wives to always respect their husbands, adding that it was important for spouses to be open to themselves.

“The spouses must love each other’s families as well as love their children,” he said.

Stakeholders from various states, had earlier identified some of the causes of SGBV to include poverty, unemployment, insurgency, lack of mutual understanding between the couples, lack of self-esteem and self-confidence.

They also identified illiteracy, drug abuse, gender inequality, economic, social status, men superiority, negligence and lack of conviction as other causes of SGBV.

Mr Ubong Ekwere,  the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Zonal Commander in Uyo, called for  the implementation of more women empowerment  programmes.

Ekwere also appealed for more social vulnerable and poverty alleviation programmes that would make women to become self-reliant and meaningful persons in the society.

“Council should provide vocational training and accommodation to all victims of SGBV and human trafficking admitted into the agency’s shelter.

“Council should also support NAPTIP effort to provide public enlightenment to vulnerable group,” Ekwere said.