N’delta Queens Seek End To Violence Against Women, Trafficking

WIVES of traditional rulers from the nine states of the Niger Delta yesterday rose after a three-day summit with a resolve to intensify efforts to put an end to gender-based violence, human trafficking and to protect women, the girl-child and children from abuse and deprivation.

A communiqué signed by the convener, Her Majesty, Josephine Diette-spiff, the queen of Brass kingdom and chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Association, and her Imo state counterpart, Queen Chioma Ugoeze, emphasized the need for peace in the troubled region. Under the auspices of the Niger Delta Royal Queens Forum, they equally charged government at all levels to intensify efforts to curb the growing rate of rape of women, child defilement/abuse, human trafficking, organ harvesting and abuse of the less-privileged in the society.

The three-day peace-building summit with the theme “Anenlightened Queenisanenlightened community” saw the women converging at the Honni Hill hotel, Yenagoa, resolving to form a formidable forum to actualize issues affecting the region. Earlier in her speech while declaring the summit open, wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Rachael Dickson said the recent pronouncement by the state government of providing support to pregnant women in the state is part of efforts geared towards reducing maternal and infant mortality in the state. She expressed worry over the number of avoidable deaths, saying most of them would not have occurred if adequate care were given to the women.