TOR TIV SUPPORTS GREATER ROLE FOR WOMEN…AS BENUE’S FIRST LADY PUSHES TOWARDS PASSAGE OF BILLS TO PROTECT WOMEN.

Paramount ruler of the Tiv nation and Chairman Benue State Council of Chiefs, Tor Tiv HRM Prof. James Ayatse, has affirmed that society has for long limited the capacity of women and prescribed that they be given the opportunity to express the rich potentials they are endowed with.

The Tor Tiv disclosed this during an advocacy visit at his Gboko palace by the State First Lady and Founder, Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF), Dr. Eunice Ortom in company of representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Widows’ association, socio-cultural associations in the State to garner support for the Widowhood Protection Bill and Women Inclusion in Traditional Leadership Bill put together by ESLF in collaboration with Office of the First Lady of Benue State and the State Gender Based Violence Policy Advocacy and Implementation Committee.

Prof. Ayatse who embraced the proposed bill to stop harmful widowhood practices called for the total and immediate elimination of any culture or tradition that is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.

He sought to study their provisions and make inputs to help enrich them and called for wider consultation and gradual implementation especially on the proposed bill on women inclusion in traditional leadership in the State.

The Tor Tiv maintained that cultures which have given women the chance to contribute their quota do make faster progress and encourage society to harness the potentials in women.

Earlier, the State First Lady and Founder of ESLF Dr. Eunice Ortom who described the Tor Tiv as a caring father, pointed out he had demonstrated his will to take actions on issues to bring joy to his subjects.

Narrating her ordeal, a widow, Elizabeth Agu said she and her 4 children suffered in the hands of her late husband’s relatives following his demise and appealed to the Tor Tiv to come to the rescue by supporting the proposed bill to shield widows from such inhumane treatments.

Also other speakers including wife of the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. Felicia Ayatse, Prof. Member George-Genyi of the Centre for Gender Studies of Benue State University, Barr. Prisca Ula of FIDA Benue, President-General of Mzough u Tiv Worldwide, CP Iorbee Ihagh and Benue State Coordinator of He-for-She Network, Nathaniel Awuapila among others all called on the Tor Tiv to support the noble cause being championed by the State First Lady to emancipate the womenfolk.