Catholic Women Decry Human Trafficking, Environmental Pollution

By Sampson Uhuegbu, Owerri

Catholic Women under the aegis of Owerri Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Organization, have decried human trafficking (child abuse), gender base violence, discrimination, harlotry and environmental decay which they frowned retard or hamper the progress and forwardness of the society.

Addressing the women during a two day seminar organized by OACCWO held at the Villa Maria Quest House Owerri, President of Owerri Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Organization, Mrs Foster Nkechinyere Madu (of Holy Family Parish Irete), pointed out that vulnerable women, girls and boys have been forcefully or freely trafficked by suspecting greedy and lascivious humans who subject their victims to excruciating conditions with a view to making money and having carnal pleasure, lamenting that many females and males are being subjected to harlotry and hard labor both at home and abroad.

Madu regretted that discrimination against women and the less-privileged including gender base violence are on the increase in the state which she said should be holistically addressed by government via the enactment and implementation of binding laws, as well as provide employment and empowerment opportunities to the people irrespective of class, origin and religion.

Madu who is also the President of Owerri Provincial Catholic Women Organization that makes up of Abia, Okigwe, Orlu, Ahiara, Umuahia and Owerri Dioceses, explained that the seminar was an annual event participated by delegates from within Owerri Province with topics of discussion being approved by the National Catholic Women Organization (CWON), noting that the association moves from the national level to the province and down to the diocese to teach women what is going on in the world and the need to be free from violence and discrimination.

She reflected that the theme of the seminar: “Role of Women in Eradicating Discrimination and Gender Base Violence” and the sub- themes as “Catholic Women Working to Eradicate Trafficking of Women and Girls and a Clarion Call for all to be Responsible for Healthy Planet” were apt hence participants were critically taught on how to engage in productive ventures to live safely, saying they are very eager to eradicate any form of violence in their homes, kindreds, communities and the society at large, harping on the importance of hygiene and preservation of the environment which she said must not be polluted in order to ensure safety of citizens.

The council called on government to use the resources of the people to develop the society to reduce or totally eradicate human violence and environmental pollution.

Reminding the participants to train their children well, engage them in meaningful activities so that they will not be easily lured to abuse and violence. “We do not want the menace of trafficking and violence against humans to continue. Hence we call on all persons including government to work to preserve the dignity of humanity. She said the program started with rosary procession as she prayed to Virgin Mary to intercede for the vulnerable.