From Ani Bassey
The UN Women in partnership with the Spotlight Initiative and the Cross River State government has launched the HeForShe Initiative in the state.

The initiative is a solidarity movement for gender equality developed by UN Women to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change in the effort to achieve gender equality.

The launch was preceded by an award ceremony where the state governor Professor Ben Ayade and the paramount Ruler of Obanliku HRH Amos Uyumulam Item (Jp) were honoured as making gender champions.

Speaking during the launch, Ayade deplored the negative practices meted against women and called for an end to such practices.

He pledged the determination of his administration to end all forms of discrimination against women.

“The greatest violence against women remain unnoticed and has even assumed a legally acceptable status.

“Today, women suffer severe consequences of all forms of family planning.

“We must stand up against family planning that targets women.

“Africa should review the age-old traditions that targets women and the United Nations must capture the concerns of the African woman”, Ayade said.

Also speaking the paramount Ruler of Obanliku, HRH Amos Uyumulam (Jp) pledged to end all forms of violence against women and children within his locality.

Lansana Wonneh, the Deputy Country Representative of UN Women said the organisation was created 10 years ago by world leaders to make the world a just place for all.

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He said the launch is remarkable and the state is the 10th where the initiative has been launched.

The main objective of the HeForShe initiative is to strengthen male engagement and advocate for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in the state through the HeForShe initiative which is a key deliverable of the Spotlight Initiative.

Besides Cross River, other states where the campaign has been launched include Gombe, Plateau, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Ebonyi, Lagos, Sokoto and the FCT.

The HeForShe campaign was officially launched by the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo on the 23rd of May 2017 and is facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from UN Women.