ABUJA – Mrs Chioma Unyenucheya-Uko, a women right activist, has called on all women to protect and preserve their lives so that they can make meaningful impact in their immediate sphere.
Unyenucheya-Uko gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
She said that good health and education to a woman’s well-being, family and society was paramount to national growth.
“Women need to understand the need for self-preservation of live, dignity and mental stability.
“With self-preservation women would be able to impact positively on their children, society and their immediate environment,’’ she said.
Unyenucheya-Uko said women pass through series of sexual, physical and psychological forms of discrimination as well as deprivation of liberty in their public and private lives from men.
“Violence against women is prevalent in areas of basic rights, freedoms, health and welfare of women.
“It occurs in many settings, including those of relatives, spouses and employers, ’’she noted.
She explained that for women to become mothers, wives or any thing in life “they must primarily be living and well’’.
“No matter how much you love your children and spouse, any day you drop dead you can’t be available to love them.
“In many cases, the threat of abandonment and economic empowerment, among others, constrains some women to remain in abusive relationships, ’’she said.
Unyenucheya-Uko explained that violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short- and long-term consequences on women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health.
She said women should not be cowards and quit at their positions as a result of threat.
“We should be able to tell ourselves the truth; some of the men that perpetrate various forms of violence against women show such signs early in the relationships.
“It is not worthwhile that you must be with him, no matter how much you love him; you should not love yourself less.’’
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She said that without reproductive health and freedom, women cannot fully exercise their fundamental human rights, such as those relating to education and employment.
Unyenucheya-Uko stated that, around the world, the right to health and especially reproductive and sexual health was far from reality for many women.
She, however, said that women are also culpable in their behaviour in the way they talk and conduct themselves.
“Let women be mindful that we are dealing with beings with emotions who can be provoked by our utterances and conduct.
“I urge every woman to love and respect their partners and conduct herself with dignity, ’’ Unyenucheya-Uko advised. (NAN)