AMAC Advocates End To Violence Against Women In Workplace


Blessing Bature, Abuja


The Abuja Municipal Area Council, has yesterday advocated end of sexual harassment and violence against women in work place.

The Chairman, AMAC, Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido said this yesterday during an awareness programme on gender Based Violence at the work place, Abuja.

The event was organised in collaboration with UN Women, ActionAid and Partners West Africa Nigeria, to commemorate the 16 Days Activism against gender based violence, which commenced on Nov. 25.

Candido, who was represented by Mrs Ramat Abdullahi, Council's Secretary, called on all the female staffs in the council to be bold to report any case of sexual harassment, intimidation, victimisation or any form of abuse without fear to the authority and such cases shall be taken up.

He said we have heard of cases of sexual harassment at the work places but here in the council, we can say such illicit activity has not been reported, however, as we join the rest of the world to condemn this act, we are making it known this day that that anyone caught harassing any female staff sexually in the council shall be sanctioned and handed over to relevant law enforcement agency for appropriate penalty.

Also speaking, special Adverser on I.C.T, AMAC, Mrs Abiodu Essiet said " we started the awareness campaign in Abuja Municipal Area Council and we selected women from the major area councils that will take the campaign to the grass roots and sensitise others.

Essiet said women must be made to be aware of their fundamental rights and be able to speak up when these rights are being trampled upon, adding that they advocate for women participation in societal development of the society, then thy must be allowed to do so and be protected in the process from any form of intimidation, violence and harassment.

In her remarks, Ms Christine Warioba, representative of the UN Women, congratulated the council for organising the programme.

She added that such awareness campaigns must be taken to people at the grassroots, so as to end the escalating cases of violence against women.

Leadership reports that the event had women representatives from AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Bwari Area Councils.