CSOs, others empowered to fight rape pandemic

By Omolara Akintoye

As a result of the incessant cases of rape in the Country,  the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)  with support from EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project has taken up the initiative to empower Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Women’s Rights Defenders on Communication Skills and Public Speaking to engage religious leaders on Elimination of Violence against Women and the girl-child.

Speaking at the 2-Day training which is currently on-going in Lagos, the Executive Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi  said religious leaders given their sphere of influence play a very important role in the society hence the need to be co-opted as agents of social change in their communities, speaking against Female Genital Mutilation, early marriage, widowhood practices, all forms of violence against women and the girl- child, among others.

“This training is aimed at ensuring women’s rights defenders are able to effectively engage leaders , particularly religious leaders,” she said.

“We acknowledge that there are religious leaders whose approaches and practices reinforces gender injustice, hence the need to understand how best to  educate and communicate with them for effective partnership” said Dr. Akiyode- Afolabi.

In her address, the UN Program Manager Tosin Akibu lamented that aside COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of rape has also become a serious pandemic which must be tackled. “This calls for the need for us to have a voice to be properly channel in the right direction in the community”, said Akibu.

Speaking at the event, the Director, International Press Centre (IPC) Lanre  Arogundade who spoke on The art of Impactful Communication & Effective Speaking, pointed out the need for participants to endeavour to know their audience, as this will determine the means of communication, as well as the language.

“Public speaking is about confidence, your purpose should determine your message, know your audience well, plan you time well, highlight what you want the leader to do and use simple language” said Arogundade.

Speaking with one of the trainees, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Lagos State Council, Com. Funmi Sesi charging government to set up is Community Policing in order to tackle the rape pandemic as well as stiffer punishments for perpetrators of rape so that it can serve as a deterrent to others.