Delta Govt. Honours Community, Gender-Based Advocate, Jewo-Ibi , Others

Delta Govt. Honours Community, Gender-Based Advocate, Jewo-Ibi , Others 

By Magnus Emuji 

A Community and Gender-Based Advocate and the Founder, Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Amb. Dr. Eris Jewo-Ibi, has received an Award of recognition from the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development for her contributions in combating GBV and protecting GBV survivors in the State.

Speaking after receiving the Award in Asaba during the International Women's Day Celebration organized by the Ministry,  Jewo-Ibi appreciated the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas for finding her worthy of the recognition.

Jewo-Ibi, who described the honour as thing of joy , and a welcome development, which according to her , would go a long way in motivating her to do more at the community level, dedicated the Award to all her team of community and youth advocates in the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.

She explained that through her NGO, they engage in community advocacy, women empowerment and speak for the people that have issues, particularly domestic violence cases , adding that her Organization often organizes capacity building for the  Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations.

Jewo-Ibi, who is  also the Coordinator of UN Women Coordination Mechanism Platform in Delta State, said that her passion was driven by the fact that they were making meaningful impact in the fight against GBV and in the protection of the rights of the downtrodden in the society as well as the fact that their efforts are being recognized.

Jewo-Ibi noted that she was happy that people were begining to be aware of their rights because not knowing what to do in issues of GBV had continued to pose a big challenge, stressing that some of the men that used to oppress women, denying them their rights are now aware that the women are no longer ready to take such oppression from them.

While reiterating that the focus of her Organization was to provide the best assistance and protection to the GBV survivors, Jewo-Ibi stated that her passion was to ensure that GBV survivors are getting the needed protection.

Recalling a  specific case she handled where a father violated his own child and instead of the wife, who is the biological mother of the child to speak out against such negative action of her husband, she ended up supporting the husband thereby denying the child justice, Jewo-Ibi urged every individual in the society to always protect the rights of the women and the children.

In her remarks while presenting the Award to Jewo-Ibi and three other awardees , the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas lauded Jewo-Ibi and other awardees for their unwavering commitment in tackling GBV and protecting women and the children, especially the girl child.

 Jewo-Ibi also spoke about her Book - Breaking the Cycle: A Practical handbook for GBV Prevention and Survivor Centered Response written by Amb. Dr. Jewo-Ibi which contains the contacts of all the community and GBV advocates that are working with her in the UN Women Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Initiative. 

She reiterated her call for support by traditional rulers and community influencers to support CBOs and NGOs because they are contributing meaningfully to peace and development across Communities in Delta State.