A huge thank you to Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, for sponsoring the bill that seeks to prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation (FGM), among other harmful and horrific practices against women and children (especially the Girl-Child). The WWN team appreciates and applauds the efforts of the Nigerian Senate in passing this very important bill! It took a long time coming but we are so happy it’s come to pass 🙂

(Source: The following article is culled from the website of News Agency Of Nigeria, NAN;  And accessed on May 6, 2015):

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The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, passed Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill which seeks to prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices. The bill also prohibits abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices.

The Bill was sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba. It is also intended to eliminate violence in private and public life and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of violence, and punishment of offenders.

The bill equally prohibits economic abuse, forced isolation and separation from family and friends, substance attack, depriving persons of their liberty, incest, indecent exposure, among others.

In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at the session, said that the passage of the bill would provide adequate protection for the vulnerable in the society and punish those who take advantage of them.

He commended the senators and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that the bill was passed, adding that it was a good step in the fight against violence in the society.

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and as a responsible arm of government, our primary responsibility is to enact laws that will not only protect our people, but also protect their property. Today, we have discharged one of our responsibilities to the vulnerable in terms of violence. Congratulations for this achievement.”  ~Ike Ekweremadu

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“Today, I will not bow

To the drums of the shriveled village medicine woman

as she leads the crazed dance, and at its feverish peak

they restrain me down and crudely hack off

the tingling bud of my maidenhead!”

-Juliet ‘Kego Ume-Onyido

(Excerpt from the Poem, ‘Today, I will not bow!”)

For Whom and What Cause are you rising? Let us continue to unite and speak out against all forms of injustices and abuse. The vulnerable and underserved are counting on us. Many more to go:

 #GirlChildEducation
#StopFemaleGenitalMutilation
#StopSexTrafficking
#EradicateModernDaySlavery
#EndChildMarriage
#YouthEmpowerment
#AgainstDomesticViolenceAndAbuse
#AccesstoQualityHealthcare
#WomeninScienceTechEngineeringMaths
#FinancialLiteracyAndEmpowerment
#StopRapeAndAssault
#EmpowerWidowsAndOrphans
#BecauseIamAGirl
#Educate1000Girls
#LadiesFund
#GenderEqualityAndJustice
#WomeninLeadershipMgtGovernance

 

Love, Light & Truth!

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Postcards From Africa is a WWN Feature about creating a new, positive narrative of Africa by Africans. This is a movement about igniting an empowered citizenry to make a difference by bridging the integrity gap. It is about changing the status quo, from waiting passively for ‘leaders’ to embracing a new paradigm that WE are the leaders we seek. We are committed to empowering and celebrating a new generation of Transformational, Passionate and Creative African leaders, who are actively engaged in nation-buiding, one idea, one person, one project and one community at a time!

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