BEVERLY HILLS, May 26, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has launched the United Nations (UN) Women’s HeForShe Initiative in Cross River State.
The initiative is a solidarity movement for gender equality developed by UN Women to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change in the effort to achieve gender equality.
The initiative is also facilitated by the Spotlight Initiative and the overall objective is to strengthen male engagement and advocate for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
The launch was preceded by an award ceremony where Ben Ayade and the paramount Ruler of Obanliku, HRH Amos Uyumulam Item (JP), were honoured as “male gender champions.”
Speaking during the launch, Ayade deplored the negative practices meted against women and called for an end to such practices.
The Governor, who also signed a pledge by his administration to end all forms of violence against women, said the greatest violence against women remained unnoticed.
He said: “Today, women suffer severe consequences of all forms of family planning.
“We must stand up against family planning that targets women.
“Africa should review the age-old traditions that target women and the United Nations must capture the concerns of the African woman.”
Lansana Wonneh, the Deputy Country Representative UN Women said the organisation was created 10 years ago by world leaders to make the world a just place for all.
The HeForShe campaign was officially launched by then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the 23rd of May 2017, and is facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from UN Women.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
