IMO NAWOJ, AFA, UNICEF ADVOCATE  INCREASED PUBLIC SENSITISATION ON MONKEY POX ,CHOLERA, etc 

By Nneoma Ahukanna

The Imo chapter of Nigeria Association of women Journalists, NAWOJ, in collaboration with Alliances for Africa, AFA, and United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF,  during the October 2022 general congress of the association advocated the need for increased public awareness of current threats to the health and social well-being of women and children as well as the solutions proffered in the VAPP law.

They identified health threats such as monkey pox, cholera, covid 19, and obnoxious cultural practices like female genital mutilation FGM as well as highlighted the alarming increase in infertility among young males due to illicit drug abuse substance addiction, and consequently made case for inclusion of the boy-child in future programmes.

The Congress which took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists state secretariate on Tuesday, 27th October, featured discussions anchored by Dr. Mrs Chinwe Adim -Madumere UNICEF desk officer, on trending health and sociological issues, their causes, effects, and solutions.

The UNICEF desk officer, and other resource persons from Alliance for Africa, AFA, stressed the need to curb monkey pox and cholera outbreaks with safe clean water, food and good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, desisting from open defecation and avoiding contamination through contact with infected people among other things.

On the Female genital mutilation, FGM, issue, the importance of increasing more public awareness on the need to end the practice in Imo was hammered upon, as it was disclosed that despite concerted efforts by government and non-government organizations, statistics show that states like Imo and Ebonyi rank highest in the FGM practice.

However, the resource persons expressed happiness that the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP law, will checkmate the FGM practice and other forms of violence against women and children such as rape.

In her response, the Imo NAWOJ chairman, Dr. Mrs Dorothy Nnaji recalled that the Imo VAPP bill was signed into law on 15th December 2021 by Governor Hope Uzodimma and stressed that like every law, it’s enforcement was crucial for all to benefit fully from its provisions.

She maintained and it is necessary for women, girls and boys to be protected from all forms of violence and abuse, stating that the enactment was not enough, if Nigerian leaders do not ensure the enforcement of the VAPP law.

Dr. Mrs Nnaji pledged to make the copies of the VAPP law available to institutions, organizations and relevant stakeholders in both soft and hard copies to create awareness of the law and penalties for offenders.

She appreciated the UNICEF, AFA representatives for participating in the congress and for their contributions in the discussions and interactive session.

The highpoint of the congress was the presentation of a copy of the VAPP law and toll free emergency telephone line for rape cases ,etc to Imo NAWOJ chairman by the UNICEF/ AFA representatives.

The emergency toll free number is 080 312 30458.