By, Omowumi Hannah

As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, the Awake Initiative for Family Relations, Ethics and Development (AiFrED) has called for an end to patriarchal tyrannies and violence against women and girls.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Director of Awake Initiative for Family Relations, Ethics and Development, AiFrED, Dr. Michael Angel Folorunso, condemned various forms of oppression against women, including domestic violence, harmful widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, disinheritance, wife battery, and feminicide.

“No bird can fly with one wing. Women and men constitute human beings, and it is essential to ensure that all forms of patriarchal tyrannies meted out to women and girls are stamped out.”, the statement noted.

The statement further called for the protection of women’s rights and dignity, urging governments and stakeholders to take concrete actions to end violence against women and girls.

“Let women and girls breathe, let them live, lead, and participate in politics without fear or intimidation,” Folorunso said.

The AiFrED Director also condemned the masculinization of political decisions and misogynistic practices, saying they are “wicked acts against women” that must be stopped.

Dr. Michael Angel-Folorunso called on the global community to join forces in promoting peace and ending wars against women and girls in various parts of the world, including Iran, United States, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, Somali, Sudan, and Nigeria.

“Let’s choose peace while choosing life.Let’s stop wars against women and girls and boys, and work towards a world where women and girls can thrive without fear of violence or oppression.”, he said.

The popular social critic and gender balance advocate urged governments and stakeholders to take concrete actions to protect women’s rights and dignity, and to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“We demand an end to these heinous crimes and call for the protection of women’s rights and dignity. For an arm against one is an arm against all.”, Dr. Folorunso stated.