The French embassy in Nigeria has called for an end to discrimination against women and girls.

Oliver Chatelis, First Counselor of the Embassy in Abuja, made the call at the kick-off of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The programme is an annual international campaign to eliminate violence against women from November 25 to December 10.

According to Mr Chatelis, the initiative is part of a large campaign supported by French diplomacy to support the fight against gender-based violence for a successful result.

“France carried out a sustained action at the European and international level and called on all states to ratify and implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

“In Nigeria, the French embassy supports several developmental projects through its Innovative Civil Society Projects and Coalition of Actors (PISCCA) to promote women’s rights and fight against Gender-Based violence (GBV),” he said.

The envoy also added that to promote women’s rights and fight against GBV, the embassy, in partnership with the French Institute in Nigeria, supported the exhibition’s opening.

“We will also continue to encourage actions that contribute to the fight against GBV.

“Take this opportunity to remind you of the rich Programmes lined up by the embassy and the institute to commemorate the 16 days of activism this year.

“I humbly wish this event to be an opportunity to pursue these efforts and transform them into actions here In Nigeria,” he said.

(NAN)