2019: Kaduna Walks To Stop Violence Against Women In Politics 

As Nigerians elect another crops of political leaders across the country beginning this Saturday, members of Concerned Civil Society and non-governmental organisations in Kaduna, on Wednesday walked to stop violence against women before, during and after the elections.

The exercise, championed by a non-overnmental organization, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), under its Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWIP) project, was part of the ongoing campaigns on peaceful elections in Kaduna State.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the exercise at Media Service Centre, Kaduna, the Executive Director, LANW, Barrister Rebecca Sako-John, used the opportunity to call on staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents to remain apolitical in order to have free, fair and credible elections.

She further charged the security agencies to ensure that all areas are covered, and ready to respond to any report or act that may lead to breakdown of law and order which may distrupt the smooth conduct of the polls.

Rebecca Sako-John equally called on political parties and their cadidates to call on their supporters to respect the peace accord signed, calling on the eligible voters to go out to cast their votes in peace.

On VAWIP campaign she said, “the project is a unique one in Nigeria because it works to ensure that immidiate services are available for women who may not have access to the social and legal assistance they need in case of violence against them.

Coordinator, Muslim wing of Women Interfaith Council (WIC), Hajiya Ramatu Kazaure, said, “the truth is that, women are the majority of voters and are often the target of violence in elections.

“So, there is the need for a violent free elections. I want to encourage women not to be intimidated but feel free to come out massively to cast our votes without any fair.

In his solidarity message, Director, Campaign for Democracy, Bako Abdul, stressed the for all to come out and exercise their franchises in peaceful manner, “we need a violence free elections.”

Also speaking, Executive Director, Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), Dr Lydia Umar, appealed to all candidates to accept the outcome of the polls and seek legal redress when they feel their mandate is tampered with.