On Saturday, October 5, the Women in Broadcasting (WIB) association marked a significant milestone by successfully conducting their inaugural peace campaign in Tongo. The initiative aims to address the impacts of political violence, especially on women and families.
In an interview, the president of Women in Broadcasting, Humul Khrusum Tahiru, highlighted that women are often the most affected by violence and are uniquely positioned to communicate the importance of peace within their families and communities. She explained that the campaign focuses on reaching out to market-goers, fostering discussions among mothers, sisters, and other community members to prevent violence.
“As we approach the general elections, we feel the need to advocate for peace. Women are often the most affected when there’s violence, and we are also the ones who can talk to our husbands, brothers, and children. So we felt that going to the marketplaces to speak to our mothers, sisters, and some men will be a way of preventing violence.”
The association aims to raise awareness that while political parties come and go, the well-being of the community should remain a priority. “Political parties will come and go, and people have different agendas. No single political party can solve all the problems. The point is that whoever wins will only come in with social policies and undertake projects that will ease your difficulties. But there’s no way a political party will win, and you won’t go to work and still feed your family. So you cannot over-rely on a political party. As much as people want to win power, they should also think about the well-being of others and avoid inciting violence.”
She urged supporters to approach politics with caution and to critically assess the messages they receive from political leaders. “We all have different choices and ideas depending on what message is being preached and how we understand it. You choose to follow whichever political party you want, but we should follow with caution, listen to the messages they preach, and make informed choices when the time comes.”
In addition to community outreach, the campaign plans to engage local chiefs, recognizing their influence and authority within their communities. She underscored that support from local leaders is crucial for spreading the message of peace and cooperation. “As part of this campaign, we intend to call on every chief or paramount chief in the areas we visit. For every district we go to, it’s our plan to meet with the chief. Our chiefs are the people who are closest to us, even before the politicians, and what they say or do influences our decisions.”
She noted that the campaign was well-received by the Tongraan, who expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, and hopes that the idea will be welcomed in other districts as well. “We hope that, in other districts, the chiefs will also be open to us and believe in this message, supporting us in our efforts.”
She added that WIB also aims to expand its efforts to other districts, fostering an environment where women can empower one another and make a lasting impact. “Women in Broadcasting have come to stay. We intend to be impactful. This world is large enough for all of us to shine, and there’s no harm in supporting other women to succeed.”
As the reigning president of the association, she stated her commitment to building confidence among women and supporting vulnerable groups in society. “As president, my goal before I leave office is to ensure that every member of Women in Broadcasting is better off than before she joined.”
“We also want to make sure that we empower many more women and explore different areas. Basically, we are here to empower women, girls, and vulnerable members of society,” she added.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Tongo
