It was a funfare last Saturday when

National Gallery of Arts, ( NGA) Port Harcourt, Rivers State in partnership with French Embassy in Nigeria and Alliance Francasie in Port Harcourt, held a two day synposium and Visual Arts Exhibition.

The event which took place at Alliance Francasie building Herbert Marculay Street Old GRA in Port Harcourt, with the theme ” Victimized” was witnessed by people from all works life including students and notable male and female artists in Nigeria.

Speaking at the occasion the coordinator of Alliance Francasie in Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal said the organization was poised to promote culture, education , scientific domains, teaching of French Language and help to eradicate women violence and the girl in Nigeria.

According to her, the French Embassy in Nigeria has equally develop structural operational collaborations with different stakeholders in development of human rights and environmental protection.

” I want to say that investing to prevent violence against women and girls remains crucial in 2023, as violence continues to be widespread violation of human rights.

“Despite the adoption of laws in many countries weak implementation and discrimination social norms persist . Approximately 736 million women, nearly one in three have experienced physical or sexual violence from intimate partner. Especially social media has increased with 38 percent of experiencing social media violence” Mrs Lacal said.

Speaking Head of station/cuator National Gallery of Art, in Port Harcourt, Mrs Uwaoma Ideli Agudosi, said NGA was committed in championing against social vices issues through visual and arts.

She equally said that the aim of the symposium/exhibition was not only to educate but to equip victims with appropriate information needed for survival.

” I want to use this medium to promote peaceful coexistence among the male and female folks. Also to promote and encourage visual arts as a strategy for achieving rapid economic growth in the State and Nigeria at large.

” I further advice men to stop any form violence against women and girl child. I thank all the invitees who are here to witness this event you all are wonderful”, She stated.

Also speaking at the event the Publicity Secretary of International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA) Rivers State chapter, Mrs Sophia Afolayan, who was the keynote speaker, said violence against women was caused by lack of training the boy child.

According to her, for victimization of the woman or the girl child to stop the woman must be economic independent and women should know their rights.

” Women should have legal awareness and we should make them know their rights. Victims of rape and other abuses should speak out” she said.

Highlights of the event was drama presentation by students and film show depicting how women were sexually abused.

By: Tonye Orabere