Violence against women: Centre LSD makes case for Niger Delta women
As the world commemorates this year’s international day for the elimination of violence against women, a non-governmental organization, the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Center LSD) has decried the plight of women in the oil rich Niger Delta especially, their inability to have access to portable water.
The Centre’s position on this phenomenon was contained in a statement signed by its programme Officer, Vincent Dania a copy of which he made available to media in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital Territory on Saturday.
According to Vincent, “Centre LSD today joins the global community to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and commence campaign activities for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10, 2017).
“As aptly captured in the theme for 2017; “Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls”, the Centre believes that more needs to be done in ending every form of violence against women and girls especially the most underserved and marginalized groups, including Internally displaced persons camps, populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, and women in the oil producing regions of the Niger Delta.
“The Centre is particularly disturbed by the plight of women and girls in oil producing regions of the Niger Delta especially Ogoniland who, because of the oil producing activities, have been subjected to several forms of violence – including economic and physical and have endured untold suffering resulting from the destruction of their natural resources, pollution of the land and water bodies, and reduction in means of livelihood.
The Centre then enjoined Nigerian government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to stop paying lip service to the clean up of Ogoniland.
“As a matter of urgency, the concern stakeholders should commence the implementation of the emergency measures recommended by the 2011 report of UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland”.
POSTED BY EDITOR