WVL commends Bauchi Governor’s Wife, Aisha over Commitment to fight against GBV
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
A Coalition women Organizations under the banner of Women Voice and Leadership (WVL) Team Nigeria has commended the First Lady of Bauchi state, Hajiya Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed for her efforts towards the fight against Gender-Based Violence in the state.
Speaking at the office of the Governor’s Wife on Monday, the Bauchi state Coordinator of the WVL, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim Kilishi said that they were at the office of the first lady as part of activities to mark the 16-day of Activism.
“Ma, we are here to show our appreciation in accordance with the 16-days of activism. We are 16 organizations here and we call ourselves the Women Voice and Leadership Team”, she said.
Hajiya Kilishi who recalled that the team had paid similar visit to the first lady during the International day of women at the government house, expressed appreciation that they were warmly received.
While thanking the wife of the governor for always given them attention despite her tight schedules, Hajiya Kilishi described the Governor’s Wife as a mother in-deed, to all the women and children in Bauchi state.
“We are here today to thank you and appreciate all your hard work and dedication towards addressing the plights of women in the state especially those affected and infected with sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV)”, the WVL Coordinator said.
She said that the Women Voice and Leadership Team is an organization that is championing women empowerment Programmes and Political participation of women in Bauchi state.
According to her, the Organization seeks to protect and promote the rights of women in Bauchi state, adding that the Organization recognizes and appreciated the laudable achievements of the first lady in the state.
She said that the achievements of the first lady in that direction include, awareness creation on sexual and Gender-based violence, Preventive measures, economic empowerment for women as well as capacity development for women of the Bauchi state Action Committee on Sexual and Gender-based violence.
“We would like to affirm that the Programme has led to the empowerment of many women through the seed capital you gave to our sisters”, Hajiya Kilishi stated.
According to her, many of the women beneficiaries have added to the little capital they possessed and has yielded better results, which WVL is proud of.
She said that the present administration in Bauchi has done a lot to address the menace of SGBV in the state, adding that the women are grateful to Allah for the privileges and guidance that enable them to the the first lady among the women as a mother.
She informed the first lady that the WVL is been supported by the ActionAid Nigeria to work in the areas of GBV across 20 LGs of Bauchi state.
Hajiya Kilishi thanked the first lady for all that she has been doing for the people of Bauchi state especially the women.
While responding, the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed who expressed gratitude to the women for the visit, said that the International human right day is a day that commemorate the contribution of women and the elimination of all acts of violence against women and children in the world.
Hajiya Aisha who pointed out that Bauchi state can not be an exception, said that the present administration under her husband has been working tirelessly to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for all the citizens to live in harmony with one another.
Mrs Bala Mohammed who said that 203 victims of Sexual Gender violence (SGV) were supported with various forms of intervention from the Committee.
“We are working closely with International partners like USAID, IHP, Pro-Health International and UNFBA in communities to raise awareness on these challenges”, she said.
The First Lady noted that the committee has provided safe shelter for the victims of SGV as well as safe center for the survivors.
She said to help the matter, she has embarked on numerous empowerment interventions to assist the women who lacked any means of livelihood through Almuhibbah Foundation.
She assured the visiting WVL Team that her husband, Governor Bala Mohammed is 100 percent with them and other people that have faced one form of GBV or the other “by assuring that the law takes its cause and deal with it”.
“We are opened for collaboration with WVL ActionAid Team in Bauchi state and all the thematic purpose for the well-being of women and girls especially in the rural communities”, Mrs Bala Mohammed assured.
She commended the WVL Team for the effort they are putting in communities for women and girls, praying Allah to bless them.
Highlights of the visit were the presentation of the Portrait of the First Lady by the WVL Team as a symbol of the their Commitment’ and recognition of her support to women in Bauchi state as well group photographs.