Amnesty International has sensitised residents of the Iddo-Sarki community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the rights of women and girls as part of activities marking International Women’s Day.

The campaign focused on educating women, girls, and community members on their rights, available legal protections, and channels for seeking justice in cases of abuse or discrimination.

During the outreach on Saturday, the programme manager at Amnesty International, Barbara Magaji, said the initiative was inspired by the theme of the 2026 Women’s Day celebration, which focused on women’s rights and justice.

According to Ms Magaji, Amnesty International recognised that many women and girls in rural communities are often unaware of their rights or the laws that protect them.

“So we looked at the theme of the year, which talks about ‘Rights, Justice, Action For All Women and Girls.’

“In the course of our work, we see that many women and girls at community levels do not even understand what their rights are or even know what the laws are, not to talk of seeking redress and justice. So, we thought it wise to do this,” she stated.

Ms Magaji explained that Amnesty International deliberately extended the campaign beyond urban centres to rural communities to ensure inclusiveness in human rights awareness.

“We are not only doing this here; our volunteers and supporters in about six states are also carrying out similar activities to commemorate the rights of women and girls,” she added.

To ensure effective communication, Ms Magaji said the campaign team used multiple languages spoken in the community, including English, Pidgin, Hausa, and the Gbagyi/Gbari dialect.

Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA, Abuja branch) joined Amnesty International to enlighten residents on various forms of violence against women and the available legal remedies.

The chairperson of FIDA, Abuja branch, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, explained that violence against women goes beyond physical abuse and includes acts such as sexual coercion, eviction from homes, and other forms of gender-based violence.

“In cases of physical or sexual violence, victims should report immediately. Delays such as bathing or cleaning up may destroy evidence that could help secure justice,” she explained.

Ms Onyenucheya-Uko added that victims could report incidents to community leaders, trusted elders, or the police or contact FIDA directly via 08060774236 for legal support.

She further warned that individuals who aid, protect, or conceal perpetrators of violence are also liable under the law.

Ms Onyenucheya-Uko disclosed that FIDA Abuja is considering establishing a community-based paralegal unit in Iddo-Sarki to provide immediate support for victims and guide them on legal processes.

The village head of the Iddo-Sarki community, Bello Sarki, commended Amnesty International and pledged his support in protecting girls’ and women’s rights.

(NAN)