Olawale Ibrahim, Lokoja
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs Ene Obi has disclosed that violent extremism is becoming a major challenge for many societies today ,saying it is threatening the security and fundamental rights of of the citizens especially women all over the world .
While speaking at the 2019 Kogi State Women Summit on preventing Violent Extremism organised by ActionAid Nigeria , held at Kefas Multipurpose Hall in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The Country Director who was represented at occasion by David Habba ,Manager, Humanitarian and Resilience ,ActionAid Nigeria ,stated that the 2nd Women summit on Prevent violent extremism in Kogi State last year was in commemoration of the international women’s day , adding that the maiden edition was very successful and serve as Platform for mobilizing women around peace issues.
“Today we are here again.I thank God for grace and life, Today in this hall we have women from all over Kogi State gathered to discuss way of preventing violent extremism and for ActionAid Nigeria this a great achievement we should celebrate.
She lamented that is it true that while women rarely take part in conflicts, stressed that they often bear the aftermath and affect of violence .
According to her, this ranging from psychological, emotional and physical loss and which continue to occur even after the conflicts has ended. The question remains how can we protect women and young girls from the serve impacts of violent extremism?
The Country Director noted that statistic have shown that women in violent prone areas are often less protective because they struggle with daunting task of keeping their families together after the displacement and terrifying memory of physical abuse that occurred during such conflicts.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , Mrs Bolanle Bola-Olorunsaiye Ampitan in her remarks said that Kogi State will partner with ActionAid Nigeria in the fight against violent extremism.
She explained that the State government is taking a proactive measures and also collaborating with relevant agencies and partners to support policy strengthening and institutional capacity building delivering interventions that address gender based violence women peace and security.
“Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is presently collaborating with ActionAid Nigeria, PIBCID to implement Kogi State Action Plan on Peace and Security for women and children”, she added.
