The painful outcomes of the Anglophone crisis has again come to the spotlight with women sharing tear-provoking stories of their experiences.It turns out that the ongoing conflict has buried so much hatred and pain in the hearts of many and women are not exempted from this. Such pain and hatred has been manifested online and offline in hate speeches and violent attacks. Women have sometimes been the oppressor or the oppressed.It is therefore against this backdrop that the Global Initiative for Digital Inclusion and Communication, GIDICom, as part of its #Act4peace237 Campaign which is a defyhatenow initiative, organized a fireside chat with women, particularly women with special abilities.
Their stories have gone unreported and GIDICom felt like including these set of women into the dialogue and peace process.
Madam Rosaline Obah Akah moderated the session during which she called on the women to be more engaging so as not to be left out in the discussions aimed at achieving peace.
During the heart-to-heart talk, the Executive Director of GIDICom applauded the efforts made by the women to open up particularly at a time when there is insecurity.
She explained the concept of #DefyHateNow and #Act4peace237 campaigns which are geared towards taking small but hygienic steps towards a #HateFree online and offline space. She urged women to begin by advocating for peace in their small spheres of influence by solving little misunderstandings around their communities.Women during the chat shared their pain, most of which included losing loved ones, property, teenage pregnancies, the absence of home comfort, lack of assistance, inability for persons living with disabilities to run when there is a shootout among others.Women with special abilities frowned at all organizations carrying out humanitarian assistance and government for no one has done an assessment of their needs. Most of them explained that they have registered, struggled to even reach some of the distribution sites but collected no item.
They live with this bitterness but thank GIDICom for listening to them at least so they can empty themselves of anger.At the end of the chat session, Madam Pedmia Shatu said that 15 women was a good start, adding that it will enable them to monitor the impact.
“Their stories simply tell me and my team that we don’t need to sleep but work double to see that we impact lives because these are just a few of such women going through trauma. But I believe with God on our side, we shall hold on firm and bring the desired impact,” GIDICom’s Executive Director added.The women left, happy to have had a shoulder to lean on which is @GIDICom through its #Act4peace237 Campaign under the banner of #DefyHateNow, and promised to take small significant moves to #DefyHateNow in their various communities.The ongoing crisis reports state have killed over 3000 so far, and left millions in dire need of humanitarian aid. Several thousands have also escaped the conflict zone, with some living as refugees in neighboring Nigeria.#Act4peace237
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Armed conflict in NW,SW: women with special abilities share bitter experiences during fireside chat
