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NGO wants security agencies to support women, girls reporting gender based violence

Published

5 years ago

March 12, 2021

An NGO, Development Aid for Children, Women and Youth Initiative (DEV-AID), has tasked security agencies to stop intimidating women and girls who report cases of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Its Acting Executive Director, Mrs. Ngozi Izuora-Songu, made this call at a Sensitisation meeting with community members in Kabusa Village in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day with the theme, ‘Choose to Challenge: Realizing Women’s Right, Women Can’.

She noted that it was worrisome that a large number of women and girls suffer violence in different forms from known persons, but were further intimidated while reporting in police stations.

According to her, ending gender-based violence is essential for social, political, and economic development, saying there was the need for security personnel to see victims as victims and for their rights to be protected.

“Police desks in charge of gender-based violence need more training and more information on how to treat victims, victims are not to be blamed when such occurrences happen.

“A case in hand was a 13-year-old girl who was raped by her uncle, but her family covered it because they felt it was a shame, but with the help of the community leader, it was pushed and the violator right now is in the police station awaiting sentence.

“One other thing that needs to be done is to get police desks well informed that it is not the victims’ fault but the person who rapes or violates one’s right that has a fault.

She said the organisation would continue to advocate for more awareness with the security persons in the vicinity for more awareness and educate community members on what to do to reverse trends of gender based violence.

She noted the importance of continuous community engagement for proper information at critical times, adding that men have a great role to play in stemming the tide of gender based violence in the country.

“One thing that can be done differently is to sensitise community members, during the COVID-19 period, we have received several complaints not less than seven cases of Child rape, molestation and also domestic violence within this community.

“And one thing we realized was that people were not even aware of where they should actually report such cases, some persons had said they had actually reported at police stations and even the police desks has its own limitations.

“We need to engage community members and women themselves because sometimes we assume that they know, but honestly, they do not know. Sometimes they are being violated and they don’t know even know because they can’t recognize what is happening.

“We also want to inform the men so that they can be able to support the women to ensure that they know what’s to be done of any of such happens”.

Izuora-Songu added that the event was an opportunity to provide information on available laws to address gender-based violence as well as create a platform for experience sharing on domestic violence post-COVID-19 era.

Some participants told NAN that the event was enlightening, which has given them more knowledge on what to do in instances of gender-based violence.

“There have been many cases like rape by stepfathers taking stepdaughters, husbands beating their wives, sometimes we run to the police station and money will kill the matter.

“Sometimes, the victim may be poor to pursue the matter and it stops, with the help of the organization, we now understand how to act and stop the violence against women and girls.

“I am happy to have benefited from the meeting, I now know what to do and how to assist when anyone around me or me myself is suffering from any form of violence,” Alice Ayuba, a community member said.

Ayuba called for more frequent visits from the organisation to train more people.

March 8 is celebrated annually to highlight the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also calls for awareness on women’s equality and advocate for accelerated gender parity in the country.

NAN

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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