By David Owei, Baylesa

The Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV), a network of governmental organizations in Bayelsa State has celebrated outstanding and influential women who have empowered other women in society.

The celebration by AWAGBV, in a two-day event tagged Cheers to Her: A Celebration of Women Empowering Women, featured women across the globe celebrating themselves deepening the discourse on the role of women in national development and the need for women to build their capacity and acquire simple skills that will make them financially secured and successful.

• The Association of Women Against Gender based violence (AWAGBV), is made up of eighteen formidable women leading other women in their various organizations namely:
  FOMWAN, Bayelsa State chapter, Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (South-South), Association of Traditional Community Birthday Attendant,Bayelsa State Chapter, End Violence Against Women and Children, APWEN BAYELSA, Dise Ogbise Foundation (Do Foundation), King Okpoitari Diongoli Foundation, KIOSATE Boy Child Foundation , St Yves Children’s Foundation and Karinate Education and empowerment foundation.

Others include Extreme with PSK , Girl Child&Less Privilege Development Initiative, Thriving Hopes Development, Friday Konyefa Foundation, Deborah Ebisinde Filatei women and Children Developmental foundation, Excellent Peoples Ogbo, National Committee on Gender and Sexualty and Girls Empowered for Change Foundation.

Speaking to journalists, Dise Goddy Harry, 1st Vice President, Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, AWAGBV said the event is to celebrate women, who have done well and give back to women, who are still struggling to reach their peak.

According to her, the event also celebrated ‘He-for-Shes’, ie the men who have made outstanding contributions to women

Mrs Leticia Amgbare, an awardee at the event on the other hand advised women to keep supporting themselves.

Dame Esther Boro , the head of the amnesty office in Bayelsa state also pledged to keep supporting the course of women.

Hon Ingo Iwowari Gold on the other hand , emphasized that it is time to get more women as leaders in all spheres of life, therefore called for women to aspire for leadership positions.

On her part, Dr Foluke Dada-Lawson, one of the award recipient from Lagos state said the event is apt and highlighted that for many years, there has been talks about women rights with several declaration and that the time is now for the empowerment of women.

Dada-Lawson, who chairs Lawyers in Academia Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA noted that it has become necessary for women to do things that will empower women and deepen their political engagement.

Also the representatives of Kebetkache women development and resource centre and Advancing women in bussiness also called for more Nigerian women to always take advantage of activities and engagements organised solely for them saying that this year’s theme is apt and validates the role of women in national development.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving women and men, poetry presentation by Theresa Tobuyei esq and the empowerment of 200 vulnerable women with cash gifts and starter packs and presentations on the contents of the Land Use Act and Renewable Energy.

The training was facilitated by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, Advancing Women in Business, (ADWIB) and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Lands and Survey.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Bayelsa State, Hon (Barr) Perepuighe Biewari, commended the women groups for organizing the event more especially im the area of capacity building and thanked the group for the award presented to him.