The Executive Director, Honourbirth Foundation, Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Onyemaechi has advised Opi Response Committee to as a matter of fact and urgency not to waver in their sustained efforts towards ending gender based violence in Oforola and Obinze autonomous communities, in Owerri West Council Area.

Onyemaechi gave the advice, weekend, during the 2023 Opi Festival held at Oforola Civic Center, Oforola, an occasion that marked the closing out of the ActionAid sponsored SLOC-VAWG programme.

She promised the committee that arrangements had been perfected towards aiding them in logistics, referral and household economic support and training through collaboration and partnership ties with relevant state and non-state actors.

Onyemaechi expressed happiness that Honourbirth’s intervention in both communities yielded viable fruits as community dwellers especially women are now quick to make changes and the culture of silence reduced drastically.

The Honourbirth Boss pointed out that the overwhelming success recorded by the foundation in the course of implementing the ActionAid SLOC-VAWG project is the collaborative efforts of the traditional rulers of both communities and their cabinet members and prayed them to also extend similar support to Opi Response Committee.

Imo State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Ukachi Ukah commended the traditional ruler of Oforola Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Kingsley Ajoku for all his supports towards ending violence against women and girls in the community.

She reminded the gathering that the commission promotes, protects and enforce human rights.

The State Coordinator promised to partner with Opi Response Committee to ensure that incidences of violence against women and girls in Oforola and Obinze are reduced and assured that the commission is open to receive complaints as they concern human rights abuses.

The traditional ruler of Oforola Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Kingsley Ajoku commended Honourbirth foundation for the good job done so far in his community and promised to support Opi Response Committee.

Chairman, Opi Response Committee, Sir Emma Chukwu at the occasion assured that the committee would continue to track and respond to violation of the rights of women and girls in Obinze and Oforola.

He confessed that the committee had received trainings on Surveillance, Tracking and Response to VAWG, fundamental human rights policies and enforcement, affirmative learning, paralegal and arbitration roles of volunteers in cases of violence against women and girls, identification, tracking and response to GBV and promised to put them to good use towards ensuring a safer society for all.

The highpoint of the occasion was a presentation by adolescent boys and girls of Opi Response Committee on gender based violence.
The occasion featured award presentation, drama and dance.

Dignitaries in attendance included Executive Director, Communal Care Center, Mrs. Colette Bennett, Coordinator Imo Peoples Action for Democracy – Majorie Ezihe, Vice Chairperson FIDA – Mrs Obiageli Amaefula, National Financial Secretary, Child Protection Network – Joy Daberechi Onuoha among others.

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