SOS: Zainab, 17-year-old bride who attempted suicide

The recent meeting of the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Lima, Peru, revealed that girls in the rural part of Nigeria are married off at the average age of 17. Zainab Hamit wished her story was any different from this ill that seems to be defining rural Nigeria and the life of a girl child. But she’s not that fortunate – her story is heartbreaking. Zainab hails from Maiduguri, Borno state, but today resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, with her parents.  Like many young girls of her age, she was exposed to primary education and went on to the Model Girls Secondary School till junior secondary class three (JSS 3). After her JSS 3, her father pulled her out of school, forcing her into an early marriage at the age of 16 to a total stranger. For Zainab, love was a luxury, care was too much to ask, and compassion was nowhere to be found. She became bed mates with a strange fellow, who cared less about her personal aspirations. He could barely care for himself; he  clearly lacked the means to cater for a family. Zainab resisted her father’s decision to get her married to a total stranger, but the only alternative was to kick her out of the house with no regard for her humanity.

"MYSOGYNOIR"

London nightclub Dstrkt was accused of turning away two young black women for being “too fat” and “too dark”, prompting a swift, strident response on social media. The club was quick to deny the allegations and the council equally quick to express its concern. News outlets went into overdrive, to find “voices” to give the incident context. In the Guardian, one writer explained that young black people often resort to unlikely methods to get into certain clubs – the kind, like Dstrkt in Soho, that aren’t really about the music anyway – while in the Independent, DJ Edward Adoo discussed the pervasive racism of London’s nightclubs as a matter of fact.But what is alleged to have happened at Dstrkt isn’t just about race; the accused promoter is black. It’s about gender too. Discrimination, prejudice and unchecked fear aimed specifically at black women now has a name: misogynoir.

A note from an aid worker in the Middle East

With hundreds of thousands dead and millions fleeing their homes, how do you even begin to pray for a situation as terrible and complex as the Syria/Iraq refugee crisis? One of our Tearfund workers in the Middle East has some thoughts…I’m a frontline worker in the Syria and Iraq crises. Yet if I’m honest, when it comes to praying for the region I often don’t know where to start.The recent heartbreaking images of refugees travelling to Europe are moving many, thankfully, to pray and act. But what about the source of the problem – the conflicts in the Middle East triggering the mass movements?In a tragedy so vast and complex, can I believe my prayers will make any real dent? I mean, ‘Peace in the Middle East, please’ feels vague and frankly a bit unrealistic, given everything I’ve seen and heard here.I dared to pray a crazy prayer: that the monthly food packages we deliver would stretch to feed extra mouths.The other day I decided to put the question to God: what can I pray that will make a concrete difference? Just thinking about the array of needs was overwhelming, so I decided to start small.I found myself praying that today, if anyone was planning a suicide bombing in the region, the detonator would malfunction.I could believe that might happen. People and their struggles may be complicated and unpredictable, but I can always focus on practical things.In that vein I could also pray that today, somewhere, a weapon aimed at an innocent person would miss its target.

Sexually abused victims tell their stories

Participants displaying placards at a museum organised by the Dream Project for Africa in partnership with Junior Chamber International with the theme: "End Sexual Harassment and Bribery in Nigerian Colleges". The event held at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos.Facilitator of Ornaments of Grace and Virtue, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to promoting the welfare of young girls, Mrs Kehinde Omojola, speaks to OLUWATOYIN ADELEYE on how they can prevent sexual harassment.THE rape scandal rocking the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has, once again, thrown up questions on why undergraduates fail to seek redress through  the channels provided by their institutions when sexually harassed by their lecturers.Dr. Akin Baruwa, a part-time lecturer of UNILAG, on Thursday, July 23, this year raped a teenager, one Cecilia (not real name), who was seeking admission into the university in an office in the Faculty of Business Administration.The victim’s father and Baruwa are said to belong to the same landlord association in Abesan, Ipaja area of Lagos.

teenager docked for raping a minor

A 15-year-old boy, Tobilola George, was on Wednesday remanded at the rehabilitation home in Oregun, Lagos, over alleged sexual assault of a minor.The teenager, who was brought before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, was charged on two -count charge of unlawful sexual activity under Sections 263 (1)(2) and 261 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011, to which he pleaded not guilty.He was alleged to have committed the offence at 12, Ogunfunmi Street, Surulere, between 2013 and last year.According to the charge sheet, the defendant unlawfully caused his seven year old victim (names withheld), to engage in sexual activity with him, thereby assaulting her.The presiding Magistrate ordered that he be taken to the rehabilitation centre because of his age and adjourned the case till Thursday for mention.

Father rapes daughter six times

From Clement Adeyi, OsogboA 34 year -old man is in a mess for allegedly having sex with his 14 year- old daughter.The culprit, Mohammed Ahmed, was paraded at the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osogbo, yesterday for committing the crime.Daily Sun gathered that Ahmed had been committing the crime since April, 2015, until he was apprehended by NSCDC after a tip off by Ahmed’s co-tenant.

Update on the Unilag Lecturer

    Dr. Akin BaruwaFor nine days, Shola (not real name) was in pain. The abdominal pain she endured felt as if a knife got stuck in her, she toldSaturday PUNCH.She was scared but she had no choice but to endure the pain since she couldn’t imagine telling her parents the unimaginable trauma she had been subjected to that led to the pains she was going through.“How could I face them? How could I tell them that the man they handed me over to, to help process my admission, had raped me?” Shola said.But then, much as she tried, she couldn’t continue hiding her ordeal, especially when the pains had become unbearable. Shola’s parents eventually got to know what their daughter had passed through in the quest of trying to become an undergraduate.Eighteen-year-old Shola is one of the numerous hopeful candidates, wishing to secure admission into the University of Lagos. But her score of 211 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination fell short of the requirement for Mass Communication, which was her choice.Her father, who resided in Abesan Estate in Ipaja area of Lagos, had done all he could to ensure that her daughter would become a university student this year but all his efforts seemed to be futile.“Someone told me to send her UTME registration number.

Unilag lecturer rapes a girl seeking admission

A lecturer in UNILAG, Mr Afeez Baruwa, has been arrested for allegedly raping an 18 year old girl seeking admission.  The young innocent girl who was reportedly raped inside a study room, was seeking admission into the University of Lagos, Akoka. According to The PUNCH, it was gathered that the lecturer, Afeez Baruwa was arrested by the Surulere Police Division on Monday, August 3. The lecturer, however, told the police in his statement that the sexual intercourse was by mutual consent, insisting that he did not rape the victim. It was also learnt that the lecturer and Caroline’s father belonged to the same landlords’ association in the Abesan, Ipaja area.

Man, 45, rapes 14-year-old girl in Lagos

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded 45-year-old Santana Obend, charged with rape of a minor, at Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos.The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered the remand of the accused in prison pending the determination of his bail application on September 18, 2015.The accused, a security man who lives at 9, Ajegunle Close, Isheri, a suburb of Lagos, was accused of abducting and raping his neighbour’s 14-year-old daughter.He is facing charges of abduction and rape.The police prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Isegede, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 7, 2015, at his residence.“The accused abducted his neighbour’s 14-year-old daughter for three days in his apartment and unlawfully had sexual intercourse with her several times.“All effort for the victim’s parents to see their daughter proved abortive until she was sighted by another neighbour in the apartment of the accused,” he said.According to Isegede, the offence contravened Sections 141(1) and 258(1) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011.The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

couple arrested for making a sex slave out of their adoptec child

A couple have been arrested after it was discovered they adopted a 13 year old girl and kept her locked up as a sex slave for 5 years. Rob Johnson and wife, Marie Johnson A middle aged couple, Rob Johnson and his wife, Marie Johnson, were on Tuesday, August 11 arrested for allegedly turning a 13-year-old girl into their sex slave. The couple reportedly took in the then 13-year-old girl to live with them after her mother died and locked her up for five years. 

Arrested for forcing private part in to a four year old girl's mouth

A shameless man is being held in prison in Lagos for allegedly forcing his private part into the mouth of a 4 year old girl.  Rape cases have drastically increased in the country and people should pay more attention to this worrisome situation. A 24 year old, Nwanagbaihu Chinonso, has been arrested and charged by an Isolo Magistrate's Court in Lagos for

couple arrested for sex slavery

A couple have been arrested after it was discovered they adopted a 13 year old girl and kept her locked up as a sex slave for 5 years. Rob Johnson and wife, Marie Johnson A middle aged couple, Rob Johnson and his wife, Marie Johnson, were on Tuesday, August 11 arrested for allegedly turning a 13-year-old girl into their sex slave. The couple reportedly took in the then 13-year-old girl to live with them after her mother died and locked her up for five years. 

A female banker was raped and robbed at gun point by scavengers

A female banker was raped and robbed at gun point by scavengers who sneaked into her car at Mabushi in Abuja. According to the police, the woman was robbed and also brutally raped in the process with a promise never to report the issue to security operatives. The bandits laid an ambush on her in her car along a popular shopping mall in Mabushi. They instructed her to drive the vehicle to a refuse dump where she was robbed and intensely assaulted sexually. A source who spoke to reporters said that the suspects had broken into the woman's car and were waiting for her return to mount the attack.“The woman parked her car opposite NEXT Park and Shop.

11 year old girl who was raped by her step father, has given birth in Paraguay

The crazy rise in rape cases all over the world, has led to an increase in the number of child parents. An 11 year old girl from Paraguay who was raped by her 42-year-old step father identified as Gilberto Benitez Zárate, has just given birth to a baby girl at a Paraguayan hospital, today, August 13. Gilberto who is married to the girl's mother, had gone missing after what he did to the young girl was made public. He was later apprehended and on interrogation, denied raping the girl and demanded a DNA test.

Climate change is forcing Bangladeshi girls into Child Marriage

Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Divisionheatherbarr1DHAKA

—Sanjita had very little to say on the subject of how she felt about getting married. Maybe that’s because she’s 10 years old.  She had married 18 days earlier, to a boy who is 14 or 15 years old—he works in a garment factory in Dhaka and as a rickshaw driver.Her mother Mariam (this and Sanjita’s name are pseudonyms) had quite a bit to say:I don’t have any sons who look after my husband and I. We’re getting old and fall sick all the time. My husband says ‘I can die anytime—before I die I want to make sure I carry out my duty to my daughter.’It’s illegal in Bangladesh for girls to marry before the age of 18, and parents and others who arrange such marriages can face criminal penalties, but Mariam told me, “We’re not very educated so we don’t understand those laws.”It’s not surprising that Sanjita’s parents don’t understand the law well—it’s almost entirely unenforced. After interviewing dozens of married girls, many of them married at ages as young as 10, 11 or 12, their families and community leaders in regions across Bangladesh, I couldn’t find a single case of someone being arrested for arranging the marriage of a child. Human Rights Watch’s research found that some local government officials try to enforce the law, but others supplement their salaries by selling forged birth certificates that allow child marriages to go ahead.That helps to explain why in Bangladesh 29% of girls marry before age 15—the highest rate in the world.

A Step in the Right Direction in the Campaign against Female Genital Mutilation

Somalia’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Human rights has announced that it is planning to introduce a new law banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) nationwide.Sahra Mohammed Ali Samatar, Minister of Women Affairs, announced in a conference held in Mogadishu concerning ways of eradicating this practice.Advertisement‘’Time has come for us to eradicate this bad practice and protect the rights of girls and women in our country,’’ She said.FGM is thought to affect up to 140 million women and girls, and is recognised as a violation of human rights.Female Genital Mutilation violates the basic rights of women and girls and seriously compromises their health, posing risks during childbirth, and leaving lasting physical and psychological scars, health experts have said.About 98% of Somali women aged 15-49 have experienced FGM, according to data released by the UN children’s agency, Unicef.The practice is regarded by Somalia’s new constitution as “torture.” Article 15 (4) of the Provisional Constitution stipulates: “Circumcision of girls is a cruel and degrading customary practice, and is tantamount to torture. The circumcision of girls is prohibited.”However, there is no specific law against female circumcision, and the practice remains widespread in both rural and urban areas in this Horn of Africa nation.

Doing gender justice in Uganda

By:

LEILA ULLRICH 23 July 2015  - The efforts of NGOs and international organisations to gradually nudge post-war northern Uganda towards a ‘gender just society’ ignore the fact that gender equality also has real enemies.‘The microcredit was the biggest benefit I received. It gave me dignity and made merespectable. I can even afford to make myself beautiful. Without that, I couldn’t have found a husband. Nobody wants to marry a woman who was raped, but he finds me beautiful because I can take care of myself.’So reads the statement of a female survivor of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) who had received economic assistance by the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), an international organization (IO) that helps the victims of the 20 year civil war that raged in Northern Uganda between 1987 and 2008. The TFV’s report claims that SGBV survivors said that this assistance helped them to see themselves as ‘real women’ again.When I asked a gender specialist what survivors like the woman quoted above mean when they say they feel like ‘real women’ again, she replied: ‘For her, this is the idea that she can be seen in her society as a woman who has value; now for better or worse this means that she can find a good husband. Her value as a woman is determined by her desirability to men. Well that is the same in a lot of cultures including mine [USA]. For her, this made her feel normal again.’This reply left me somewhat puzzled. Does that mean it is pointless to change features of sexist culture in Northern Uganda, which we have not managed to eradicate in ‘Western’ societies? Or does it imply that the ideas and aspirations of SGBV survivors should guide our understanding of what ‘gender justice’ means after war?The transition from war to peace often has complex and contradictory consequences for women. On the one hand, research suggests that women’s experiences of SGBV are frequentlycontinuous: while violence against women peaks during times of conflict, it persists after conflict, especially in the form of domestic violence. In a study on female survivors of conflict-related SGBV in Northern Uganda, 90 out of the 97 survivors interviewed said that they still face the same threats of sexual violence as in the past.

IN LEBANON,MANY REFUGEE GIRLS CHOOSE TO MARRY OVER POVERTY

Pressured into marriage by her parents as part of a desperate effort to survive, Safia has given up on the dream she once had. “I wanted to continue my education and my life,” the 16-year-old, who is married to Omar, a man nearly a decade older than her, told VOA. “I wanted to be a teacher, but my ambitions don’t exist any more.” Safia is one of a growing number of refugees in Lebanon for whom finding a husband was not a matter of choice but of economic necessity. Torn away from their livelihoods and homes by war, families struggling to provide for their children have, in recent years, increasingly looked to marriage as an answer. And with bride and groom sometimes no older than their early teens, the dangers for those involved can be high.

Foreign ñews: 'Care system sent me to 39 different children's homes and I was raped 3 times before 16'

Danielle McKinney was taken into care aged 11 after school teachers saw belt lashes on her back when she was getting changed for PE

Danielle McKinney is now studying a degree in child protectionA former children’s home resident has lifted the lid on her years in care, after being sent to 39 different placements and raped three times before the age of 16.Danielle McKinney, who is hoping to study for a degree in child protection, has revealed grooming and sexual abuse which was rife.Speaking on BBC West Midlands Inside Out programme, she is doubtful that the situation has improved for those being looked after by Birmingham City Council.The hard-hitting interview comes at a time when the council is one-year through a three-year improvement plan to turn around the failing child protection service.In 2013 the department was branded a ‘national disgrace’, reports the Birmingham Mail.PAFailings: Birmingham Council HouseThere had been a series of preventable child deaths including the notorious cases of Khyra Ishaq and Keanu Williams - both killed at the hands of their parents despite being known to social workers.An extra £30 million has been ploughed in to the service and Government troubleshooter Lord Norman Warner was brought in to oversee improvement. His report is awaiting publication.

Foreign news: For native women, high price of rape goes untold

There's no way to quantify the damage, but tribal leaders estimate it's in the billions. "It happens every day in every native community; it's that common," says Jodi Gillette, former special assistant on Native American Affairs to the White House.24 The Cherokee Nation has begun an advertising campaign to encourage native women to seek help.Credit: Photo by Suzette Brewer STILWELL, Okla. (WOMENSENEWS)-- For six years Brendan Johnson served as U.S. attorney for the State of South Dakota.During his time as federal prosecutor, Johnson says fully 100 percent of the women and girls engaged in the sex trafficking industry were victims of rape and-or sexual abuse earlier in their lives."We had an underage girl from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota who was picked up in Sioux Falls and wound up in a sex ring," said Johnson, who is now in private practice, in a phone interview from his office in Sioux Falls, S.D. "She was a single mother and had not a penny to her name, which is very common.

KIDNAPPERS, RAPISTS INVADE IMO COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA

The People of Eg­belu Nguru com­munity in Ngor Okpala local gov­ernment area of Imo State are now living in constant fear as suspected kidnap­pers and rapists have in­vaded the community.Saturday Sun gathered that suspected kidnappers have turned the commu­nity to their operational base as no week passes without reported cases of kidnapping and victims being raped by some gang of criminals in the com­munity.It was equally learnt that the hoodlums had even overwhelmed the lo­cal vigilante group and the police in the area as they move about with impu­nity.The indigenes of the community who pro­tested yesterday over the activities of the criminals lamented that they now live in constant fear as the crime rate in the commu­nity is alarming.

Kenya bans teachers over sexual abuse

Kenya’s authorities have banned 126 teachers for “gross misconduct”, most for sexual abuse of their students.The governing body said the teachers would not be allowed to teach again.They were found guilty after a disciplinary process, the Teachers Services Commission (TSC) said.A Child Welfare Society of Kenya has urged the director of public prosecutions to ensure those convicted are imprisoned, to protect other children in future.This ban is a departure from previous reactions to sexual abuse by teachers, said the Kenyan newspaper the Daily Nation, as it said previously the TSC just transferred suspended teachers.The list is compiled from complaints between 2011 and 2014.Before this, in 2010, more than 1,000 Kenyan teachers were sacked for sexually abusing girls. Most of those cases occurred in rural primary schools.The post Kenya Bans Teachers Over Sex Abuse appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Anti rape Bill: Falana Threatens Legal action Over President's Assent

Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Femi Falana (SAN) has joined forces with nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, in urging President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold his assent to the Sexual Offences Bill, otherwise known as the anti-rape bill passed by the 7th National Assembly.In a letter he co-wrote with his wife, Funmi, and addressed to Soyinka yesterday, Falana, who threatened to go to court if the controversial Sexual Offences Bill is passed into law, accused members of the last National Assembly of not paying attention to the provisions of the bill.“Having passed the Bill, the Senate cannot plead non est factum in the circumstance. It has to bear full responsibility for the legislative negligence,” he stated.Falana and Soyinka’s grouse with the bill borders on the age limit set for potential victims by the bill. The bill stipulates a life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others.The implication of this provision in the bill is that incidents of rape will not be considered crimes if the victims are older than 11.

6 Indian women's Rights organization that are bravely fighting for change

Sadly, women in India have faced significant violations of their human rights for centuries. From rape and domestic violence to forced labor and denial of educational opportunities, the struggle for rights and empowerment is a daunting one for Indian women. In the world’s second-largest country, hundreds of millions of women are still affected by some of these issues. Women’s rights are vital to the success and growth of developing nations, making projects that empower Indian women vital to the well-being of the entire country.While Indian women and girls technically have constitutional rights equal to men in many regards — including citizenship and access to primary education — the reality is often radically different. Socially, women can be regarded as lesser humans, and face frightening levels of sexual assault and violence.Because India has a population of 1.2 billion, and has manydistinct cultural groups, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to generalize about the population of the entire country. However, it is entirely clear that overall, women need advocates and allies across the country that will fight with them for not only their safety and health, but also for access to further opportunities for empowerment and autonomy. Here are some of the major players committed to improving the lives of women in India.

Lagos records 120 rape cases, convicts 140 sex offenders

Lagos State Government recorded no fewer than 12, 120 rape cases and other sexual violence matters in the last four years.State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who disclosed this on Monday  said the government in the last one year also convicted about 140 sex offenders.Ipaye explained that one of those convicted was a notorious rapist that bagged life imprisonment.He said the government established the domestic and sexual violence response team to improve the safety of vulnerable persons and ensure offender are prosecuted.Ipaye said the team facilitated the signing of the Executive Order that established the Sex Offenders’ Register.He also informed that the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in the last one-year recorded 526 rape cases, with 227 still pending in court., while adding that at least 15 judgment were made, ranging from life to seven years imprisonment.Ipaye further stressed that OPD in the last four years also recorded about 12, 120 rape cases.

Turkish mother, 36, shoots dead pregnant daughter

A Turkish mother, 36, shot dead her daughter, 17, after finding out that she was three months pregnant, media reports said on Saturday.The mother, named as Emine A., found out that her daughter Meryem A. was pregnant during a visit to neighbours, the Hurriyet daily reported.She then went back home to find a gun and returned to shoot her daughter — who worked as a cashier in a market — five times, it said.Bystanders outside the apartment block in the Selcuk district of the southern city of Nigde rushed to help and took Meryem to hospital but she died on the way.The mother was detained by police but then had a nervous collapse and was hospitalised. The investigation is continuing.Turkish authorities acknowledge there is a grave problem of violence against women in the country, although the vast majority of cases involving attacks perpetrated by men.According to the non-governmental Platform to Stop Violence Against Women, 286 women were murdered in Turkey in 2014 and 134 so far in 2015.

Nigeria's proposed sexual offences law obnoxious -Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has threatened to go to court if the controversial Sexual Offences Bill is passed into law.In a letter addressed to Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Sunday, Mr. Falana accused members of the 7th National Assembly of not paying attention to the provisions of the bill.“Having passed the Bill, the Senate cannot plead non est factum in the circumstance. It has to bear full responsibility for the legislative negligence,” Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated in the letter co-written with his wife, Funmi.Messrs. Falana and Soyinka raise eyebrows on the age limit set for potential victims by the bill. The bill stipulates a life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others. With the provision, the bill appears to stipulate those incidents will not be considered crimes if the victims are older than 11; with Mr. Falana saying those age limits were inserted wrongly into the original bill.

SOYINKA'S OPEN LETTER ON SEXUAL OFFENCES

Dear Friends and Comrades,Regretfully, I am unable to be with you tomorrow morning.  However, I extend a warm embrace to you in your resolve to keep within Nigeria’s short memory the events that have been central to the attainment of our democracy – warts and all – enjoyed today by you and me. June 12 remains the true Democracy Day despite the unprincipled efforts of some prime beneficiaries of that struggle to expunge it from a people’s chronicle.Prof. Wole SoyinkaIf I had been able to join you, I would most certainly have asked you for help. It has to do with the nation’s latest alleged legislative stance against sexual abuse – molestation, rape, paedophilia etc etc. I am only a layman, not a “learned brother”, so any help from the learned is earnestly solicited. The question on my mind is this: is that legislative reinforcement not merely a case of rubbing vaseline on leprosy?In this supposedly progressive bill, sponsored by the respected Senator Chris Anyanwu, I could not help but notice a reiteration – as if to ensure that there is no ambiguity – of the word “child”, near superfluously.

April Fool's Day, 13 headlines about women that we wish were April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day makes it pretty difficult to believe what we’re reading online at face value. For one day a year, outlandish headlines appear in our news feeds, and we read, comforted by the expectation of an “April Fools!” at the end. But what about the headlines that aren’t for laughs? We’ve collected a list of recent stories with headlines that sound so ridiculous they could be a satirical joke —  but unfortunately, are all too real. They’re a reminder to us of how absurd gender inequality really is today.

Global News- Grooming bans could stop child sex abuse says council

Local authorities should be able to apply for banning orders on men suspected of grooming children for sex, say councillorsCouncils in England and Wales want new powers to combat predatory men suspected of grooming children for sex.They want the government to introduce so-called child sexual exploitation disruption orders which councils could apply for through magistrates.Sanctions to prevent the grooming of vulnerable children are too limited, says the Local Government Association.It says orders could be used against anyone suspected of grooming, banning them from certain places or activities.

Preventing child bride in Kvemo Kartli

"The man thinks that she is still a child, she doesn’t know anything, and that is a good thing for her,” says Samira Bayramova, a women’s rights activist in Marneuli working to prevent young girls from becoming child brides.“Mothers-in-law support this as well, because they hope to raise those girls their way and teach them what they want,” she continues.Bayramova, 26, is an advocate for gender equality, and travels from school to school explaining to the youth why early marriage creates problems for them.Georgia as a whole has one of the highest rates of underage marriage in Europe.

Malawi bans child marriage, lifts minimum age to 18

 Malawi has passed a law banning child marriage, raising the minimum age to 18 in a country where half of girls end up as child brides.Women rights campaigners hailed the move as "a great day for Malawian girls" and said the law would help boost development in one of the world's poorest countries.But they warned Malawi would not end child marriage without concerted efforts to tackle poverty and end harmful traditional practices like early sexual initiations."This law is extremely crucial because child marriage is a big, big problem in our country," said parliamentarian Jessie Kabwila who helped push for the new legislation.

Child brides take Zimbabwe govt to court over marriage laws

 Two former child brides have taken Zimbabwe's government to court in a ground-breaking bid to get child marriages declared illegal and unconstitutional.Loveness Mudzuru and Ruvimbo Tsopodzi say child marriage, which is rife in Zimbabwe, is a form of child abuse which traps girls in lives of poverty and suffering."I've faced so many challenges. My husband beat me. I wanted to stay in school but he refused. It was very, very terrible," said Tsopodzi, a mother of one, who was married at 15."I want to take this action to make a difference," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Harare on Tuesday. "There are a lot of children getting married.

Congo hospital sees rise in rape of girls as young as18 months

 Girls as young as 18 months are being raped and left with horrific injuries in eastern Congo after being stolen from their homes at night, a charity said on Tuesday.The children, many of them under five, have been treated at the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu province, which has helped thousands of women and girls raped during 15 years of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.Naama Haviv, executive director of Panzi Foundation USA, said 34 infants and young girls from Kavumu had been treated at the hospital in the last two years."While we've seen very significant violence against women and girls in Congo, what's new and particularly devastating about this crisis is that it is centred in one community.

NT chief minister Adam Giles blasts media coverage of alleged child rape

The Northern Territory's chief minister has lashed out at media coverage of the alleged rape of a seven-year-old Aboriginal girl, saying if she had been white the story would have been reported very differently.It was reported by the ABC on March 8 that an Aboriginal girl at a town camp outside of Alice Springs had been raped.In a two-sentence media release the following day, NT Police media wrote: "Alice Springs Police have arrested and charged a 29-year-old man following the sexual assault of a minor.""He was refused bail overnight, to appear in Alice Springs Magistrates Court today (Tuesday)."AdvertisementNo further information was released.But in parliament on Tuesday, Chief Minister Adam Giles attacked the media coverage.

Child bride faces death sentence ten years on...

Nigeria: Child brides facing death sentences a decade after child marriage prohibited

Ten years after underage marriage was prohibited, 39% of girls are married before age 15, and two remain on death row for killing much older husbands Protests against underage marriage in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2013.

Incidences of Rape on the rise in Nigeria

Nigeria: Rape Incidents On the Increase in Kogi - Wada

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, lamented the growing number of rape cases, saying efforts are on to tackle it headlong.While warning against all forms of child abuse and violence against women, he noted that the Child's Right Law is aimed at protecting women and children.Earlier, Dr Bilqis Mohammed said the programme, which is a personal community development project, is geared towards boosting gender equality and improving women health.Dr. Mohammed said women between the ages of 15 and 44 are more at risk of rape and domestic violence.

Newly born baby abandoned in Lagos

A newborn baby abandoned by the roadside on March 8, 2015, has been named after a late businessman and philanthropist, Molade Okoya-Thomas.According to The Punch, the two-day-old baby was found around 4 pm at Marina, close to Wema Bank Plc. He was later picked up by Oscar Odiboh who runs a non-governmental organisation in Lagos.The baby was first taken to the family support unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Adeniji Adele Division, and then handed over to the Lagos State Government who had since taken responsibility for the child.Commenting on the incident, Oscar Odiboh, the President of Afribaby Initiative, said that he got a call and immediately rushed to save the baby.

Well developed teen loses child rape case!

A Swedish girl who says she was raped by a 27-year-old man when she was just 13 has lost her appeal against his acquittal after a court ruled that the man could not have known she was under age because of her “well-developed” body. The girl - who has not been named in the Swedish media - said she was raped while on the run from her foster home. She said she had travelled to Västerås, just outside Stockholm, but did not have any money, a mobile phone or a place to stay when she got talking to the older man at a playground near his home.According to her police statements, he invited her in for a drink after explaining that she was hungry and thirsty and police secured evidence that the pair later had sex.The man initially denied that the girl had been in his home but later admitted it after police found some of his sperm on her underwear.

Pastor defiles 14 year old in his church

A 50-year-old traditional healer and Pastor of the Brotherhood Church, Udo Obot Job is now cooling his heels in the cell of Akwa Ibom State police command for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl, Mary Bassey.The incident, Saturday Sun learnt, led to the death of the victim’s father who was ill and receiving treatment at Job’s healing home when the alleged rape happened at Ukat Aran village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.It was gathered that Mrs Eno Bassey had on February 13 taken her husband, Mr. Stephen Bassey to Job’s heal­ing home for possible recovery from stroke. The state Po­lice Commissioner, Mr Gabriel Achong, who confirmed the development, said that the suspect had demanded N400,000 for the treatment of Bassey.

COUNTDOWN TILL PROGRAM. DON'T BE LEFT OUT!!!

Gang rape documentary banned from broadcast

New Delhi - An Indian court has banned the country's media from broadcasting a documentary in which one of the men who gang-raped and murdered a New Delhi student is shown blaming the victim, police said on Wednesday.Spokesman Rajan Bhagat said New Delhi police had obtained a court order late Tuesday banning anyone from broadcasting the documentary, called "India's Daughter", on grounds of "objectionable content"."We have only seen the promotional parts of the film. Based on that we took the matter to court because we felt that it will cause likely apprehension of public disorder," Bhagat told AFP."It shows a very objectionable interview with the convicted rapist.

A letter from jail to the free world

My name is Hidayet Karaca. I am writing this letter from a jail cell, trying to reach out to the free world.I am the general manager of a leading national TV network called Samanyolu, which has 14 broadcast channels in Turkish, English, Arabic and Kurdish, dozens of radio stations and popular news portals.We have always been strong defenders and promoters of fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy and will continue to do so in full compliance with rules, regulations and the law.I am a victim of a witchhunt that has been waged on the free, independent and critical media in HYPERLINK “http://www.theguardian.com/world/turkey”

Delhi rapist says victim shouldn't have fought back!

In 2012 an Indian student was violently raped on a moving bus in Delhi and died of horrific internal injuries. Leslee Udwin spoke to one of the rapists on death row while spending two years making a film about the case. She came away shocked by India's treatment of women - but inspired by those seeking change.The horrifying details of the rape had led me to expect deranged monsters. Psychopaths. The truth was far more chilling. These were ordinary, apparently normal and certainly unremarkable men.On 16 December 2012, the 23-year-old woman had been to see a film, the Life of Pi, with a male friend. At 8.30pm they boarded an off-duty bus, with six men on board, five adults and a juvenile. The men beat the friend and each raped the woman in turn, before assaulting her viciously with an iron instrument.Mukesh Singh, the driver of the bus, described to me every detail of what happened during and after the incident.

Family mourns woman Mistaken for a suicide bomber

The discovery that the suspected female suicide bomber lynched by irate mob at the popular Muda Lawal market in Bauchi metropolis on Sunday, March 1, was, after all, not a ter­rorist, has left tears and sorrow in its wake.It was a case of mistaken identity, it has been discovered, even as the victim now lies dead in the morgue after she was subjected to an agonizing death.The fear that many innocent people can be­come victims of jungle justice is rife in a state like Bauchi where the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom.

UNAID hails Nigeria anti - discrimination law

UNAIDS hails Nigeria on anti-discrimination lawDaily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper / daily Editor / 2 hours agoBy Ejikeme Omenazu / Production Editor, Lagos As the world commemorates the Zero Discrimination Day on Sunday, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has expressed its support for Nigerian government’s commitment to ending stigmatisation of and discrimination against people living with HIV.

A US 'pastor' detained in Brazil on sexual abuse allegations

An American cult leader suspected of sexually assaulting several girls, some reportedly as young as 12, has been detained in Brazil, police said Saturday.Police tracked down 53-year-old Victor Barnard, wanted on 59 counts of sexual assault, in the beach resort of Pipa near the northern city of Natal after a search coordinated with US authorities, Globo television reported.

Many South Sudan boys captured to be child soldiers

Hundreds of boys in South Sudan have been kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers, the United Nations children’s agency says.The figure is a big increase from the 89 children reported abducted by Unicef last month.Their latest statement blamed a militia group allied to the government.

Woman abandons child

AN unknown woman, on Saturday, abandoned a one-year-old boy at the Effurun newspaper market, around Airport junction, Warri, Delta State.The unidentified woman was said to have abandoned the baby boy at about 11:30am.A witness, who described the woman as ‘well-dressed,” said she arrived at the open space in front of the newspaper market with the male toddler, stayed around for a while and stole away unnoticed. It was gathered that none of the people around was paying attention, leaving the boy on the muddy ground with no clothe on.

Nigeria's unheard vioces (widespread violence against women in the family)

Case of Child defilement in Enugu

 A top government official in Enugu State is now in the custody of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for allegedly defiling an SS1 student.The victim (names withheld) is a student of Metropolitan Girls Secondary School, Ogui Nike, Enugu, and a house help to a family in the city.She is currently at the Parklane General Hospital, following bleeding and other complications arising from an abortion attempt.A source in the hospital told Saturday Independent that her condition was critical and only an operation could save her life.The illicit affair was exposed when the girl slumped during the morning assembly in the school premises.

Man absconds after birth discovery

A middle aged man has absconded and abandoned his wife in hospital after she gave birth to a baby boy without arms.The man, Mudashiru Sheriffdeen, who resides in Bosun Street in Ifo Local government area of Ogun State was said to have disappeared on hearing his wife delivered a mystery baby and his whereabouts has not been known.The baby boy who was born at about 2 p.m

Man bags 15 years jail term for raping a minor

A middle aged man, Adamu Abdullahi, was on Thursday, sentenced to a 15-year jail term by a Bauchi State High Court sitting in Bauchi, the state capital, for raping a seven-year-old girl.The convict, who was dragged before the court, presided over by Bauchi State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi T.

Dozens of cops and firefighters flock autistic boy's birthday

Found this heartwarming story on Mail Online about how classmates of a young autistic boy refused to turn up for his 6th birthday party and after his heartbroken mum revealed it on Facebook, dozens of fire-fighters, police and people in his community turned up at his home to make it a birthday he’d never forget. Read full story below…Ashlee Buratti, of St. Cloud, Florida, had invited her son Glenn’s class of 16 children to his birthday on February 8, and when no one showed up, he was devastated.

Armed men abduct 89 boys in South Sudan

At least, 89 boys have been abducted in South Sudan’s restive Upper Nile State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.The UN agency said the boys, some as young as 13, were taking exams in Wau Shilluk, a town about 12 miles northeast of the state capital, Malakal, when they were taken by armed men.

EMPOWERING THE FEMALE GENDER

We are hosting this event this weekend at the address as stated on the handbill. Come one, come all!

NB: Exclusively for Women and children.

Newswatch Times publication of 27 January, 2014

I was interviewed by Newswatch times, a widely read Nigerian newspaper on January 27

2014. Be the best you can be in your chosen field and you will be sought after. I do what 

I do with a passion and zeal that is yet to be equaled. Not by my ability though, I am motivated by the fact that someone out there needs my counsel, assistance and most of all a touch of love. I thank God for strenghening me through it all.

What are the difficulties in enforcing laws that prohibit child marriage?

Even where strong legal frameworks exist, their enforcement is often weak. The reasons for non-implementation of the law can vary from one context to another, and may include:Lack of awareness and training among law enforcement officials and other relevant professionals to ensure that laws are understood, implemented and enforcedLack of birth and marriage registrationDiscrepancies between formal and religious or customary law on the minimum age of marriage.

How useful are International and regional standards on minimum legal age of marriage?

International and regional agreements prohibiting child marriage set standards that governments should adhere to in protecting children from being married before they are ready.  These standards also act as an accountability measure: governments have to report to the committees that oversee them about how they are implementing the standards standards.They can be used to hold governments accountable for failure to implement and enforce their obligations related to child marriage under these conventions.

What does International law say about child marriage?

Child marriage or marriage without the free and full consent of both spouses is a human rights violation and is not in line with several international and regional agreements, including:Universal Declaration of Human RightsConvention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage, and Registration of MarriageConvention on the Rights of the ChildProtocol on the Rights of Women in Africa to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Also known as ‘The Maputo Protocol’)African Charter on the Rights and the Welfare of the ChildInter-American Convention on Human RightsA full list of provisions from International and Regional Instruments relevant to protection from child marriage, prepared by the Africa Child Policy Forum can be found here.

Why should 18 be the minimum legal age of marriage?

Girls Not Brides members believe that 18 should be the minimum age for marriage in line with international human rights standards.Setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 provides an objective rather than subjective standard of maturity, which safeguards a child from being married when they are not physically, mentally or emotionally ready. Why allow children to marry at an age when, for example, they do not have the right to vote or enter into other contracts recognised in law? The most widely accepted definition for a child is 18, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.A minimum age of marriage of 18 will also help to ensure that children are able to give their free and full consent to marry and have the minimum level of maturity needed before marrying.

Do all countries have a minimum legal age of marriage?

Most countries around the world have laws that set a minimum age of marriage, usually at age 18.However, many countries provide exceptions to the minimum age of marriage, upon parental consent or authorisation of the court. Other exceptions allow customary or religious laws that set lower minimum ages of marriage to take precedence over national law. Such exceptions undermine the efficacy of legal protections against child marriage.According to a recent mapping of minimum age of marriage laws by the World Policy Analysis Center, 93 countries legally allow girls to marry before the age of 18 with parental consent.Legal frameworks can reinforce, rather than challenge, gender inequalities.[1] The World Policy Analysis Center found that 54 countries allow for girls to marry between one and three years younger than boys. [1] World Policy Analysis Centre, Changing Children’s Chances: New Findings on Child Policy Worldwide, 2013

why is it important for countries to have minimum legal age of marriage

Laws that set a minimum age of marriage are an important way to safeguard boys and girls from being married before they are ready.It is important that children are recognised in the law as being children and that they are accorded the full protection of the law.Governments need to have clear and consistent legislation that establishes 18 as the minimum age of marriage. Adequate safeguards must be in place to ensure that parental consent or other exceptions are not used to force girls into marriage.The existence of laws that set a minimum age for marriage is an important tool that helps those working to dissuade families and communities from marrying off their daughters as children.

WHY IS MARRIAGE A FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Violence against women and girls is a global scourge that affects millions of women every year. In fact, it is estimated that one in three women and girls experience violence in their lifetime. Child marriage is a manifestation of that violence.In many cases parents feel it is in their daughter’s best interest to marry at a young age: they believe marriage will protect her against physical or sexual assault. Yet, this belief is often mistaken. Child marriage puts women and girls at particular risk of sexual, physical and psychological violence throughout their lives.Here are five reasons why this violation of girls’ most basic rights should prompt action:

HOW YOU CAN HELP FIGHT TRAFFICKING By (WOCON) Women's Consortium of Nigeria

What is Trafficking?

Trafficking in persons means "The movement or transportation of a person from one place to another by any means and through fraud, deceit, coercion, deception, for forced labour or services, slavery, or practices similar to slavery or servitude"Background Information on TraffickingDo you know that:Trafficking in persons can take place within a country 9 from rural areas to cities) or across borders?  Traffickers sometimes make $50,000 (#6.7 Million) on each trafficked person, whilst the trafficked person does all the labour, risk his/her life and gets poorer?Majority of the thousands of Nigerian girls and women in prostitution and domestic servitude in Europe, Africa, America and Middle Eastern countries are victims of human trafficking who were deceived of greener pastures and opportunities in those countries.Women and Children who are trafficked especially for domestic labour and commercial sex work are also victims of sexual abuse and are:     

TRAFFIKING IN NIGERIA By WOCON

Trafikking in Nigeria Despite the fact that the incidents of trafficking in children in Nigeria had been going on as far back as the 60s, the public recognition and focus on the issue however heightened only since the mid 90s. The recent awareness of trafficking in Nigeria resulted from the publicity generated by the deportation of trafficked persons for prostitution to Europe and the Middle East, which started in 1994.The increasing number of deportees who were trafficking victims who engaged in prostitution influenced the equation of trafficking with prostitution to the neglect of trafficking for other forms of labour in Nigeria.

AROUND THE WORLD: Article by Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

Combating Sexual Exploitation and TraffickingThe international front :

At the turn of 21st century has come new hope for the fight against trafficking with the breakthrough signing of the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime by 124 countries. The Convention includes supplementary protocols to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking of Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air. Though the treaty and protocols are yet to be universally ratified, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam have signed the Convention. Indonesia and the Philippines have signed the Protocol on Trafficking. These are major steps forward in galvanizing international concern and in closing loopholes that enabled traffickers to challenge and bypass international laws.The focus of WOCON's work on the frontline has been to lift the veil of ignorance, to educate, retrain,improve living conditions and eliminate the causes of poverty that make children particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

RAPE IN NIGERIA: NEW DEVELOPMENTS (COMPILED BY OLUKADE)

Rape is condemnable, it is an unjustifiable act in our society and it is, finally, time that we rise as a nation to condemn and eradicate this despicable act.Victims of rape are made to suffer unquantifiable anguish, some become diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociation from reality, depersonalization, they endure physical violence, avoid social life, get infected with sexually transmitted infections, encounter serious difficulty in remembering events, relives moments of sexual assault and unwanted pregnancy amongst other ills.The severity of the offence of rape cannot be over emphasized. Little wonder why a lot of pundits have advocated strict punishments for the offence.In the case of:

 Popoola v State (2013) 17 NWLR (Pt 1382) P. 100 Per Muntaka-Coomasie J.S.C at page 120 paras G-H on rape said:
"the offence appeared to be heinous and heartless. The sentence meted out by the trial court amounts to abdicating its role as a judicial officer. I condemn such type of sentence. The sentence is unnecessarily lenient and loose”.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: A Look at the specifics in Nigeria

   INTRODUCTION

Violence against women is a worldwide yet still hidden problem. Freedom from the threat of harassment, battering, and sexual assault is a concept that most of us have a hard time imagining because violence is such a deep part of our cultures and our lives. Consider these facts: Battering is the leading cause of injury to women aged 15 - 44 in Nigeria.

1.  Data that has been gathered from law enforcement officials indicated that 102,555 women were victims of rape in 1990.

Mommy blogger stands trial for allegedly poisoning her son

Lacey Spears tweeted updates on her son's worsening condition

A mommy blogger is on trial outside New York City regarding the death of her 5-year-old son, whom she allegedlypoisoned with high levels of salt while sharing his worsening medical condition over the Internet.Lacey Spears, 27, of Scottsville, Ky., has been charged with the depraved murder and manslaughter of Garnett-Paul Spears. She allegedly fed him salt through a hospital tube at the Westchester Medical Center, White Plains, N.Y., precipitating a spike in his sodium levels that led to seizures, brain swelling and eventually death.“This mother was intentionally feeding her child salt at toxic levels,” said prosecutor Doreen Lloyd, according to the Associated Press.Spears, originally from Alabama, kept her social-media followers appraised of Garnett-Paul’s worsening medical condition during the last few days of his life, writing “My sweet angel is in the hospital for the 23rd time” and “Please pray he gets to come home soon.”On her son’s final day, she wrote, “Garnett the great journeyed onward today at 10:20 a.m.”The trial continues.

BOY SAYS HE DID NOT GO TO HEAVEN

Nearly five years after it hit bestseller lists, a book that purported to be a six-year-old boy's story of visiting angels and heaven after suffering a bad car crash is being pulled from shelves. The young man at the center of The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven, Alex Malarkey, said this week that the story was all made up.The book's publisher, Tyndale House, had promoted it as "a supernatural encounter that will give you new insights on Heaven, angels, and hearing the voice of God.

BOKO HARAM ATTACKS THREAT TO HUMAITY

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry has said the recent Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria were “nothing less” than a crime against humanity.According to Voice of America (VOA) news, Kerry spoke on Thursday, during a visit to Bulgaria, a day after Amnesty International released satellite images said to show widespread destruction caused by Boko Haram fighters in two towns this month.“It’s an enormously horrendous

OWOG Brings succour to widows, orphans ay yuletide

From time immemorial, societies despite discriminations have relied on the prowess of women and the moral foundation provided by women has proved uniquely beneficial to the common good of humanity.Though the sacrifices are challenging but oftentimes, the society is not conducive for them to discharge their entire God-given goals. The many roles of contemporary woman were some of the issues discussed recently at the 7th annual empowerment program powered by Oasis Women Organisation (OWOG) in Lagos recently.Members of Oasis Women Organisation and Prof Kolawole Raheem presenting refrigerator to one of the beneficiarySpeaking on womanhood and the many sacrifices, Founder of OWOG, Erelu Mojisola Adams agreed that gender issues are integral part of the many sacrifices women make.She maintained that despite the many challenges, an ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will project womanhood in negative light.“Women bear the larger share of the problems of unrest. The society is not conducive for women to perform the roles nature bestow on them but in the face of all these, the ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will not promote womanhood. Women’s moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt than in the home. There is no better setting for rearing children than the generational home where the parents live in harmony,” she noted in her address.Also highlighting the many roles of women in the society, retired Philosophy Teacher, University of Lagos Professor Sophie Oluwole stressed that women who are nation builders should always engage in positive ventures so as to augment their husband’s income and for them to be economically viable.“No society can survive without women because we are not just homebuilders, we are agents of change. I want to encourage women not to be onlookers but they should be agents of positive change in the society,” she said.The highlight of the occasion was the economic empowerment of 12 indigent widows and five orphans. The widows who according to Adams were selected without favouritism explained that OWOG is committed to alleviating the many sufferings of widows in the society.One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gbenga Fayombo who got an embroidery machine at the occasion said her husband died in April 2014 after being sick for many months. The mother of four who since then has been living from hand to mouth said the machine will help her to feed her children.Another beneficiary who identified herself as Mulikat Lawal after receiving her gift pack from OWOG said, she has being longing to purchase a refrigerator for over 18 months to aid her in selling sachet water but she has not been able to raise the needed sum.“This is a big relief and I can’t thank God enough for counting me worthy to be a partaker of these great blessing. I sell Pure (sachet) water and I have been trying all this while to raise money so as to purchase a refrigerator, all my efforts have been fruitless, this is a big relief. I will live the rest of my life to cherish OWOG.”Speaking with Daily Independent shortly after the presentations, Adams said OWOG was born out of her passion for putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged in the society. “I live my life for the under-privileged and this is what makes me happy. It is not easy doing all these annually without the backings of government or donor agencies but I am a fulfilled woman because we are opportune to make some people happy. From time to time we assist women and children. I work with a wonderful team and I am over joyous because we have achieved a lot since inception. We won’t relent in doing more and assisting humanity in whatever way we can.”National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams who is the spouse of the founder of OWOG, was on hand to lend support to the group.Addressing the participants and beneficiaries of the gifts enjoined members of the group to look beyond accolades and gratifications but carry out their humanitarian acts diligently without seeking any reward.Adams charged the women beneficiaries to be prudent in the use of the wares and materials given them to support their families and leave a mark of difference to humanity.

2015 Prophecy by Pastor Adeboye

 General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has released his 2015 prophecy with a call on the world to embark on intense prayers against massive earthquakes, strong hurricane and typhoons.The respected clergy man said God has directed that the people on earth must pray against massive calamities in 2015.In his 2015 prophecy, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Independent on Thursday,

PROJECT ALERT!

The project was launched in November 2007, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The journal is meant to keep members of the public in general, and stakeholders in particular, informed of all activities being carried out under the project; and activities by other organizations focusing on involving men and boys. Outside contributions to the journal, are welcomed Beacon of Hope: Women’s Human Rights CasesPublished in July 2008, by Project Alert on Violence Against Women, and edited by Mrs Funmi Quadri, a lawyer and publisher of law books,Beacon of Hope is a compilation of some judgments given on women’s human rights cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and other superior courts of record.2007Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against WomenPublished in March 2007, this is a report of the first set of consultative forums on the role of men in eliminating violence against women/young girls in Ebonyi State. Organized by Project Alert, it was sequel to the passage of the domestic violence law in the state. The forums took place in the three senatorial zones in the state - Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo. The aim of the forum was to sensitize participants especially men on the existence of the law on Domestic Violence that was recently passed by the state house of assembly.Report of Partnership Workshop on Responding to Gender Based Violence in Lagos State Published in October 2007, the publication is a report of a partnership workshop for state and non-state institutions/ministries/organizations that provide services to abused women/young girls in Lagos State, on responding to reported cases of gender-based violence. Organised in partnership with CLEEN Foundation, the two-day workshop was attended by representatives of the ministries of Women Affairs, Youth Sports and Development (Social Welfare Department); Health; Justice; the Police; NGOs and the media.2006Responding to Gender-Based Violence: A Tool BookThis tool book is aimed at addressing the insensitivity and lack of knowledge often displayed by law enforcement officials especially the police when confronted with cases of gender-based violence, especially domestic violence, rape and incest. It also provides a guide to victims, on immediate steps to take after being abused. It is meant to be a daily companion to all those, whose duty it is, to provide one form of service or the other to female victims of violence.2005Sophia’s Place: Experiences Running the First Battered Women’s Shelter in NigeriaThis is the report of an evaluation study of the organisation’s shelter project known as Sophia’s Place. The study was conducted in 2004, while the report was published in 2005. The main aim of the evaluation study, was to assess the impact of its services on the lives of its ex-residents, their families, and the society as a whole. The study was also to evaluate the implementation of this perceived “originally western concept of shelter”  in the Nigerian context in general, and Project Alert’s experiences running it.No Safe Haven. 2004-2005This is an annual report of attacks on women and young girls in Nigeria. Annually since 2000, Project Alert conducts print monitoring of five newspapers daily, to compile reported cases of abuse of women (physically and sexually). This it compiles, edit, and publishes during the 16 Days of Activism as part of its activities during the period, annually.

HELP FOR 50 WIDOWS IN IMO STATE

VOICE OF CARE MINISTRY rehabilitates and helps the poor, abandoned indigent women & widows in villages of Imo state who are marginalized and exploited. The challenges will be addressed through their legal, social & economic empowerment. This will also result in developing human consciousness & bring about a wide change in attitudes of the society towards such women.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Alarming number of rural women live in dire misery who are either widows or abandoned by their husbands including HIV women. They are treated as outcasts by their own & husband's family. These women many times with children, are thrown out, live on subsistence, are exploited. Voice of care mainstreams these women's lives through campaigns & actions about their social & legal status, empowers with knowledge-attitude skills to fight for themselves & provide food for them.

How will this project solve this problem?

The project will reach these women with information, awareness and training on their legal and social rights to property and maintenance (especially regarding houses and agriculture land); on personality development & leadership, on AIDS, on better farming practices; help them avail of available government relief schemes, loans for setting up trades & businesses. The project will reach at least 50 widows and would rehabilitate, empower them and give them sense of belonging in the society.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will be an opportunity for these abandoned women to get rehabilitated & become an integral part of society, to stand on their own feet, improve their children's lives, gain acknowledgement, respect from family & society, not only as beneficiaries but also as contributors to the growth. Today they are outcasts, exploited, many times also sexually, viewed with superstition. The project would especially result in changing attitude of rural society to such women to a large extent.

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN

THE ISSUE: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Physical, sexual and psychological violence strikes women in epidemic proportions worldwide. It crosses every social and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity. From domestic abuse to rape as a weapon of war, violence against women is a gross violation of their human rights. Not only does it threaten women's health and their social and economic well-being, violence also thwarts global efforts to reduce poverty.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support our workon behalf of women and girls worldwide.Violence is, however, preventable. Although no silver bullet will eliminate it, a combination of efforts that address income, education, health, laws and infrastructure can significantly reduce violence and its tragic consequences. First and foremost, abusive behavior towards women must be viewed as unacceptable. Communities need to have an important role in defining solutions to violence and providing support to victims. And men must be engaged in the process too, as agents of change standing alongside women to end violence.If the world does not address the issue, it stands to suppress the enormous potential of women and girls. When they feel safe, when they are empowered, women and girls can be game-changers. The catalyst for the next great innovation. The leaders of a more just world. The driving force behind stronger economies.

OUR ROLE

ICRW employs a multifaceted approach to reducing violence against women. We conduct empirical research to better understand the incidence of violence, costs associated with it and factors that lead to it. We also are building evidence on interventions designed to prevent violence against women, particularly comprehensive approaches that include economically empowering women, involving boys and men, protecting survivors of violence and rehabilitating men who are abusive. ICRW is examining the policy dimensions of violence prevention by evaluating the impact of and challenges to existing legislation and using our findings to advocate for stronger, more effective laws. Finally, ICRW participates in strategic regional and global networks that work to strengthen civil society and advance the field of preventing violence against women.