Posts in category: News

Communal Care Centre on Thursdays wrapped up the 16days of activism against gender-based violence with her Annual Whyte Teens’ Concert. The event featured drawings and paintings, debate, drama and dance. Highlight of the occasion were presentation of award and certificates to traditional rulers who provided enabling environment for the project and non-state actors who supported project implementation. Awards were also given to the best 3 schools whose presentations spoke to the theme of the year.

VAWG Response Team in Akabor Oguta LGA held school sensitization to commemorate the 16days of activism against gender-based violence. The used the indigenous language to enlighten the children on different forms of GBV and how to protect themselves from abuse as well as to speak out when their right are violated.

Following the visibility and credibility that ActionAid SLOC-VAWG project has given to Communal Care Centre in our project communities, the executive Director of CCC Mrs. Colette Bennett was appointed member off Oguta flood relief and rehabilitation committee, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring victims of the recent flood disaster are properly supported to return back to their normal lives.

On the 25^th November 2022 at the inauguration of the committee, the traditional prime minister (Ogana Oguta) stated that ‘’CCC was brought in to ensure transparency and equitable distribution of the relief materials.’’

Many thanks to ActionAid Nigeria. We are proud to be associated with you.

News paper publication of the Town Hall meeting on ending harmful widowhood practices.

Communal Care Centre recorded yet another feat on ending harmful cultural practices exacerbating violence against women and girls in Oguta community. In a town hall meeting held on Saturday 19th November 2022, the paramount ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Nzeribe Eze-Eyiche, the Eze Igwe 1 of Oguta, reacting to the document signed by the oldest woman (Ogene nwanyi) in Oguta, supported by a communique from an interractive meeting with women groups, conceded to making widowhood practice favourable and convenient for women. He practically accepted everything in the document which states that the woman has the prerogative to decide what she wants. He then requested CCC and National Human Rights Commission to support the community in developing a legal document on issues around GBV. He further requested CCC to help arrange a sensitization program for the larger community where the information will be disseminated and copies of the document distributed as a guiding policy document for the community.

Communal Care Centre on Saturday 29^th October 2022 commenced 4 days non-residential Camp Meeting in school adolescent Girls and boys from 4 schools in Oguta and Oru East LGAs. The program which is featuring poems, arts and paintings  is aimed at developing the creative and innovative skills of the children in the preparation for the 16days activism against Gender Based Violence and our forthcoming Annual Whyte Teen Concert.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

On Friday 28^th October 2022, the team of Communal Care Centre and Akabor CRT on Violence against women and girls (VAWG) had an interface with the traditional ruling Council to once again look at the possibility of lifting the age long embargo on melon planting in the community. The elders took turns to narrate the scenario that resulted in the ban, nor was linked to any sacrilege or fetish belief rather they men used it to show control of power over the women (who mostly planted melon then). It was therefore unanimously agreed to abolish that law and December 27^th was chosen for the public declaration because it is the unique date sons and daughters of Akabor community, home and abroad gather together to deliberate on issues of concern to the community.  The entire people present expressed their gratitude for the SLOC-VAWG project.

CCC adolescent PE Q1 review meetings held in 4 schools. The meeting was aimed at discussing the camp meeting and Whtye Teen Concert that will be held this quarter. And also discuss activities carried out by club during this reporting period. The peer educators were so excited about the camp meeting and shared experience of the last meeting held at Full Moon Hotel Owerri where they met peer educators from different schools and learnt from the activities carried out by the different clubs. Those that attended the meeting said they were motivated by the presentations shared bs shared by some of the clubs and were challenged. They drew up plans for activities they will carry out this quarter which will include visit to other schools within their environ to educate them on E-VAG.

August Meeting is an annual event synonymous with Igbo community, where women from home and abroad gather together to deliberate on issues of concern in the community. CCC bought into this platform on Saturday 20^th August 2022 to sensitize the catholic women organization of Sacred Heart Catholic Church Oguta on issues around GBV especially as it affects women and girls. Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director Mrs. Colette Benette solicited their cooperation and support in ending harmful widowhood practices which is the primary issue being addressed under SLOC-VAWG project in Oguta community. She made it known that the traditional council have given their nod to ending obnoxious culture but requesting a documented consent from the women group. She further advised that women should in unionism have documented evidence of acceptance to be presented to the traditional council. In reaction the women applauded the initiative saying that it’s long overdue and pledged their cooperation.