Doctor Antonia Garner a Mental Health Practitioner and Grand Patron of Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence domiciled in Bayelsa State has revealed that most psychologically and emotionally abused women get them from Educated Men.
She said that as a result, most women are likely to development health issues making most of them to take solace in using substances to ease their pains.
Speaking at the weekend when the group unveiled activities heralding their Summit coming up on the 6th - 8th of July, 2025, the Matron disclosed that the group will use the opportunity to sensitize the populace so that gender based violence is reduced to the barest minimum minimum on the state.
Maintaining that the project will be all encompassing, she added that plans are also on to inculcate people living with disabilities stressing that the group’s agenda is to provide long-term support to families rather than break them apart.
Garner further stated that while preserving family unity is essential, it requires comprehensive support services, adding that the collaboration of experts from various fields is crucial to effectively support women and families facing gender-based violence.
She said: Most Educated Men abuse women psychologically and emotionally and with that emotional and psychological abuse, you are most likely to start using substance not mainly cocaine or hard drugs but pills to go to sleep.That is how terrible violence is and we will be looking at especially the long time impact it has on women.
"There is also an urgent need to protect children, many are becoming fearful of society due to the psychological trauma caused by domestic violence. If you don’t go all out to protect your child, it is child abuse.
“Children do better in families that stay together,” she explained, “but to achieve that, schools, hospitals, law enforcement, and NGOs must work together to intervene before crises escalate.”
"So, we will strategize to ensure that we meet the needs of people as the need arises. We may not be able to end violence but we will be able to sensitize the society on how to manage the violence from occuring and that is one thing I'm hundred percent sire that we will be able to achieve. If we can manage violence by ten percent, that is a big achievement.
"To that that effect we are planning to get our office opened for everyone to access. We will be working together to make sure that we success in this project."
Speaking earlier, National President of the Association, Dr. Barr. Dise Ogbise Goody-Harry, recounted the journey of AWAGBV, which she said started in 2017 as a coalition of women committed to fighting sexual and gender-based violence.
Disclosing that the group has about thirty women-led organizations, she said that they came together to advocate for policies that will benefit women and children and ensure that gender representation in all spheres of life.
Ogbisere said that after the summit, they will put in place a strategic plan which will include carrying out sensitization program, a legal Frame work and operational team that will work with the women.
"Our main is to sensitize the public about the public about the impact of gender violence in our families and in the society.We want to protect the women. We will be focusing strategically on every single person in our communities including people living with disabilities.
“We are working with international partners to address socio-cultural and economic practices that hinder women’s progress. Our efforts span education, empowerment and advocacy.
"Our intervention is all encompassing, even Stalking. It is the VAP Law. We will be looking at the aspect of emotional abuse and we have an expert in our midst. Also, there are some aspects of the law that need to amended and many that need to be passed.
"So at the end of the Summit, we intend to have stronger and bolder women that will talk against gender based violence. At the end, itis our desire that human trafficking will reduce to the barest minimum. It is also our desire that at the end of this summit, our relationship with the International Space and government must understand that they should support non-governmental organizations.
"We expect that at the end of this Summit, everybody will know that they can work up to the association and get the needed immediate response when ever there is crisis as it concerns violence.
On her part, the Secretary of the planning committee Barrister Marian Akpoyi-Ouseigha said the lineup of activities includes, a Cocktail party on Sunday, while on Monday there will be Teenage Summit for teenage Ambassadors where about 250 to 300 students are expected from secondary schools and even from the tertiary levels with various sections and keynote speaker. While the last day being Tuesday 8th of July will be for Fund raising ceremony for the association.
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