NAWOJ Takes GBV Sensitisation To Markets, Churches

By Edidiong Obot 
UYO
As part of activities to mark the 2025 Gender-Based Violence Awareness Month, the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has taken its sensitization campaign on the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law (VAPP) to major markets in the state, drawing commendation from market leaders and traders.
The awareness campaign, carried out, Saturday, at Urua Ebod along Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard and Mbierebe Market, along Aka/Etinan Road, was part of a broader programme organised by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence, to celebrate five years of the VAPP Law’s enactment in the State.
The month-long awareness event, themed, “United Against Violence: Celebrating 5 Years of the VAPP Law in Akwa Ibom State”, runs from June 1 to 30, 2025.
Addressing traders, including women, men, and youths, the State chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Nsikak Okon, emphasised that the VAPP Law was enacted by the Akwa Ibom State Government on June 10, 2020, as part of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence in both private and public life.
   “The VAPP Law is not just for women. It protects all persons, women, men, and children, from any form of violence and provides a legal pathway to justice,” Okon stated.
She encouraged members of the public to support victims and avoid turning a blind eye when violence is suspected, saying, “They are your brothers, sisters, and children. Do not look the other way when they are victimised”.
At Urua Ebod, the market chairman, Mr. Enefiok Okon Ben, lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary and acknowledged the prevalence of harmful widowhood practices and gender-based discrimination in the society, especially against women who have lost their husbands.
“Most families fall apart over issues that could have been resolved if addressed properly. Many widows suffer in silence because they are denied their rights. I thank the government and NAWOJ for creating awareness and offering hope to those who feel helpless,” he remarked.
At Mbierebe Obio Market, a young man (names withheld) shared a personal experience, recounting the trauma his mother has faced in the hands of his stepfather. According to him, his mother had been locked up for several days, and they had no idea where to seek help until NAWOJ brought the sensitisation campaign to the market.
He made a heartfelt appeal to NAWOJ to intervene and assist his mother in securing justice.
  In a similar development, the sensitization campaign which was also part of NAWOJ’s commitment to community engagement and public enlightenment on the protection and empowerment provided by the VAPP Law, was taken to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Obio Offot, Uyo, Sunday, during the monthly meeting of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) and Catholic Men Organization 6:30 (CMO).
Speaking during the sensitization, the State secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Mary Ekere, enlightened members on the content of the VAPP Law, with emphasis on its penalties for offenders.
Reinforcing the importance of the message, the NAWOJ State chairperson stressed that GBV concerns everyone and should be addressed in every sphere of society, noting that brothers, uncles, and cousins can be potential perpetrators, hence the need for widespread awareness.
She urged parents and guardians to educate their children and grandchildren, as collective efforts are required to create a safe environment.
In their reactions, the women expressed heartfelt appreciation and appealed to NAWOJ to extend the sensitisation campaign to public secondary, primary, and nursery schools, noting that many of the listed offenses in the VAPP Law are committed due to ignorance of the law.
The President of the Catholic Women Organization, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Obio Offot, Uyo, Mrs. Beatrice Ewhenke, thanked NAWOJ team for educating the women on GBV and the VAPP Law and encouraged them to sustain the effort.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation 6:30 (CMO), Mr. Lawrence Edet Patrick, expressed gratitude to NAWOJ for the eye-opening session, saying “Though we were aware of some of these issues, we did not have such an in-depth understanding. Thank you for taking the time to educate us”.
As part of the sensitization, some IEC materials were distributed to the Organizations including copies of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, while the team gave phone numbers to call and the office to report any of such cases.