The Society of Women Accountants has called for sustained action from authorities and stakeholders to rid the society of violence against women.

SWAN, which is the women wing of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, made this call as it commemorated the 2023 International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women and Girls. The 2023 theme is ‘UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.’

Speaking, the National President of SWAN, Mrs Hilda Ozoh, said that the body believes strongly that in every country and culture, more action is needed to ensure women in all their diversity, live free of violence and coercion.

“Every day at every hour, a female is being abused in some form or another, in the sub-urban areas, in the cities, at home, in the offices, in the playgrounds socially, morally, physically, in some small forms or in deep and intense manner. Some get killed in the process, while survivors mostly end up with deep psychological traumas that they may not come out of, and even if they eventually pull through, never remain same again,” she said.

Ozoh added that with each form of violence, society is being affected because a strong-willed and sound minded female is a great blessing to the society at large.

“The prevention of violence against Women and Girls can never be overemphasised,” she stated.

The SWAN boss also called on government and relevant agencies not to relent in the struggle for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

“While expressing our gratitude to all concerned in the success of this pursuit, we call on the government and all respectable female agencies, never to relent in this worthy cause of elimination of violence against women,” she said.

Highlighting education as a tool in fighting against gender-based violence, Ozoh called upon women to educate the male child, and nurture a foundation of respect for the female gender. Simultaneously, they emphasized the importance of teaching young girls to embrace their roles while fostering mutual respect for male counterparts.

“For us in the Society of Women Accountant of Nigeria, we will not stop in our areas of corporate social responsibilities. For we believe in giving back to society and as such we strive in our efforts to connect to the female in the society,” she said.

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