The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo says the ‘Violence Against Women and Girls Act’ will soon be domesticated in the state, while the Family Court, which is still under construction, is now at the verge of completion.
The deputy governor stated this during the Just Girls Talk (JGT) organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Youth Church to inform and enlighten female singles about the gains of abstinence from pre-marital sex in Port Harcourt.
Banigo, who said she has always been passionate about women and girls, said she has set up the Protect the Girl-Child Initiative to address and educate the public on the issues of violence and abuse against women and girls in the society.
According to her, steps can be taken to train the girl-child into an emotionally-sound, psychically-fit, intellectually and politically balanced woman, especially in the family as nation building begins in the family.
She said the Protect the Girl-Child Initiative was anchored on a four-point agenda, which includes the social, health, academic and political agenda.
Banigo explained that while the social agenda includes steps to ensure that women are appropriately regarded in the society, the health agenda strives to ensure that girls practice abstinence until they get married to prevent STIs and HIV/AIDs.
According to the deputy governor, the academic agenda revolves around the setting up of a mechanism to ensure that the girl-child excels in her education, especially in the sciences, while the political agenda encourages women who are 18 and above to register to vote and be voted for.
Banigo said the domestication of the Act and the speedy completion of the court would make it easier for abusers of women and the girls to be prosecuted and punished.
She admonished parents and guardians to be a safe haven for children in their homes.
“Please, teach your children about their bodies and the difference between good touch and bad touch, also ensure that your children feel safe to share with you when they have been abused by any one”, she stressed.
Banigo said the Governor Nyesom Wike-led government has put in place measures to eradicate harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and maltreatment of widows, adding “Arm yourselves with this information, stand your ground when people abuse you”.
Earlier, the Youth Pastor, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Port Harcourt, Pastor Chinedu Udechukwu said the Just Girls Talk programme  was organized to enlighten the women on self-discovery and building self-esteem, building good home living healthy and dealing with sexually transmitted disease and other female related medical issued.
He urged young women not to be swayed by the antics of the devil to destroy their life, but rather be inspired by the vision and passion to succeed in life.