Women’s rights: WRAPA inaugurates volunteer group in Zamfara

Women’s rights: WRAPA inaugurates volunteer group in Zamfara

The Women’s Rights Advancement And Protection Alternative (WRAPA) on Tuesday inaugurated a volunteer group in Zamfara to bolster advocacy on the protection of women’s rights at community level.

The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, performed the inauguration in Gusau at a one-day step-down training for the volunteer group.

The theme of the training is ‘Knowledge and Skill Strengthening for Increased Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Prevention and Response in Zamfara’.

Bello, represented by the Secretary, Gusau Emirate Council, Sambo A Sambo, described the activities of WRAPA in the state as a welcome development.

He charged the volunteers to be dedicated, transparent as well as good ambassadors of WRAPA and the society in general.

“As volunteers, the work of WRAPA in this regard highly depends on you, you have to be patient and committed to the assignment given to you.

“You have to be dedicated, because you are going to work at the communities, you must ensure dedication and transparency.

“You must operate in line with WRAPA guidelines and be law-abiding,” Bello said.

The traditional  ruler assured his continuous support to all WRAPA activities in the state.

“As traditional rulers, we play an important role in the protection of women’s rights through dialogue on marriage cases and other relevant issues,” he added.

In her remarks, the State Coordinator, WRAPA, Zainab Nuhu said the volunteer group was one of its responsibilities.

Nuhu said that the mission of WRAPA was to actualise the legal rights of women, in private and public, through mobilisation, sensitisation and the provision of legal support.

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She added that the training was aimed to fortify the capabilities of the participants to advocate the  protection of women’s and girls’ rights.

“We are inaugurating the volunteer group composed of members from Gusau, Bungudu, Tsafe and Maru Local Government Areas.

“This is a pilot programme, more volunteers are to be engaged and to be extended to the remaining LGAs across the state.

“We have trained these volunteers to know more about their jobs, challenges and nature of volunteer engagement at the community level,” Nuhu explained.

The training was attended by representatives from religious groups, National Human Right Commission, MDAs, People with Special Needs and the media.