July 05, (THEWILL) — The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada 1V, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom and Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM King Shadrach Erebulu, Adou lll and other prominent Niger Deltans, are set to grace the inaugural summit against Gender-Based Violence in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Over 300 students from secondary and post-secondary schools in the state are expected to attend the inaugural Teenage Summit hosted by The Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence in Yenagoa.
Dr Alfred Izon-Ebi, also known as JKing, Popular Ijaw Music Maestro and prominent Ijaws in diaspora, UK and the United States, are expected to add pep to the epoch-making ceremony.
The President of AWAGBV, Dr Dise Ogbise, who recalled that the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence was established in 2017 to tackle issues of sexual abuse, gender violence, to support and empower women and to chart the way forward about the challenges of women.
She pointed out that since its inception, the association has come together to foster the collective support of women from different endeavours and from harmful social, cultural to economic and environmental practices that will enhance a sustainable future for them.
“We have to develop and implement a capacity-building program for women and children, which includes the boy-child. We have to advocate for actionable policies that will be beneficial for women and children, and gender representation in government. We have the cooperation of associations between national and international organisations.”
Dise said they will also pay an advocacy visit to the state House of Assembly to seek support for legislative backing. “It is an Association where girls and boys, including women, can seek assistance”.
On her part, the Secretary of the planning committee, Barr. Marian Akpoyi-Ouseigha, said the lineup of activities includes a Cocktail party on Sunday, while on Monday, there will be a summit for teenage Ambassadors, where about 250 to 300 students are expected from secondary schools and even from the tertiary level, with various sections and keynote speakers. The last day, July 8, will be for fundraising for the association.
On her part, Chief De Antonia Garner, who is the Grand Patron of AWAGBV, said after the summit, they will put in place a strategic plan which will include carrying out sensitisation, a legal framework and an operational team that will work with the women.
Chief Antonia further said they might not be able to eradicate gender violence, but it can be managed to the barest minimum through consistent advocacy and sensitisation, saying they are planning to inculcate people living with disabilities into their program in order to give them a voice.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
