Gender-based violence: Access Bank holds webinar

Herbert Wigwe and Access Bank

In response to the rising cases of gender-based violencein Nigeria and across the world, Access Bank’s‘W’Initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Governors Wives against Gender-Based Violence(NGWA-GBV),recently organised a virtual webinar themed‘Tackling the menace of gender-based violence in our society’.

The webinar featured notable guest speakers such as;EreluBisi Fayemi, the First Lady of Ekiti State; Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State; Mrs Bola Tinubu, the Founder,Cece Yara Foundation and Dr Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, the Founder, Women at Risk Foundation(WARIF).

Despite the increased awareness and violence prevention programs in low-resource settings, social norms and beliefs still pose a major challenge to ending gender-based violence in the society. In line with the vision of the ‘W’Initiativeto create a society where sexual and gender-based violence is eradicated, the conversation focused on the meaning and types of gender-based violence ,contributing factors as well as how to respond, cope and ultimately put an end to the scourge.

Speaking on the rationale behind the Bank’s drive against sexual and gender-based violence, the Group Head, ‘W’ Initiative at Access Bank , Ayona Trimnell said, “Violence against women is not just a Nigerian issue, just like the COVID-19, it has become a global pandemic. Gender-based violence affects the physical and mental health, dignity and overall well-being of the victims ,yet it remains masked in a culture of silence. For this reason, we, at Access Bank, through the ‘W’Initiative have taken it upon ourselves to address this menace publicly and on a national scale . We also encourage victims to speak out and  seek help.”

“We thank the NGWA-GBV and other stakeholders for partnering with us on our journey towards facilitating positive changes in our society,” she added.