Why I Started GIDOWAC

I started Global Initiative in Defence of Women & Children (GIDOWAC) in 2012. It was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja that same year. It was a tedious ordeal to register the Incorporated Trustees. I had attended a few interviews in Nigeria including with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at Aba, Abia State. Having waited for a job, I was through my mother's aid able to erect a temporary structure called a container at Aba to sell stationery. I didn't want to do this initially as I was becoming lethargic and went to the hospital often. I had waited for my books from Mr Simeon Nnah for a few months and when in 2012, they weren't returned I consulted with my mother and other people who made up the board of trustees and travelled to Abuja to get the organization started. None of these parties contributed any money towards the registration. Two of them, Dr Nwanganga and Mr Ekwuribe each contributed N500 each for their affidavit. It was their only monetary contribution to the endeavour. Barrister Okorie made no financial contribution. He was helpful in directing me to the offices where the affidavits were done. My mother and I made up the rest of the money needed for the affidavit. I registered the non governmental organization with my own resources in Abuja. My mother nor the men made no monetary contribution towards the forms paid for and processes at Abuja. I, Ijeoma Monica Njoku, am the founder of the non governmental organization called Global Initiative in Defence of Women & Children (GIDOWAC). The founding isn't in dispute. Thank you.

Before GIDOWAC and back in Dallas, USA in 2010 I had registered a similar non governmental organization called AKUNNE INTERNATIONAL INC. It had a similar mission as GIDOWAC, but with a view towards economic empowerment of women especially African women in the Diaspora. In 2008, I has graduated a certificate program/course in Women in Politics & Public Policy. This education taught skills in advocacy for causes affecting women and the general public. It was an eyeopener on the many issues many women face just being of the female gender. Men naturally didn't worry about unplanned pregnancies and their attendant disruptions. They didn't care too much about childcare disrupting their education. They didn't have to worry about hairdo and other necessities that women need miscellaneous expenses for. So, the education was imperative as far as I was concerned. It continued the interest I had developed as a student of the University of Ibadan. I worry till date why the University has only two halls of residence for women forcing them to live outside or to do illegal things such as squatting or buying bed spaces in order to complete their education. I don't believe that the university takes into consideration that bed spaces must equal admissions in the halls of residence especially for the women. The men had at least six official halls of residence.

GIDOWAC was registered to advocate against domestic violence and child abuse. I now live in a house with gross child abuse and domestic violence. I'm a victim of domestic violence and I have to live among people who are deliberately insulting me. Advocacy is a collective effort.It is a call to everybody who is committed to education to do what must be done. It's not a rallying point for voodoo commissioners nor an avenue for prostitutes to hide their crime or art. I know that witches are human beings and prostitutes too. These groups could advocate for their own welfare too. But GIDOWAC is not for them. It's for law abiding women and concerned men to help the society rid every child and woman of the abuse from animals in the human beings around us. I have experienced domestic violence as a single woman and I know that there's no compromise for abuse in the lives of women and girls. I cannot be everywhere. And as you know, I haven't even saved myself from an animal. So, be careful in the living situations that you have. Don't give attention to law enforcement that emboldens crime. Neither women nor children are sex toys. Rights to sex are solely reserved for married couples and among consenting adults without family ties. Incest is a crime and immoral. I believe that it's also a sin in Christianity. Pedophilia (sex with children or among children) is evil and women who condone it are equally evil. While our quarrels were never over sex, there are violent crimes against women that many times other women are responsible for it. See why we can't be have prostitutes among us? They are using sex as a means of livelihood and many times use rape to initiate other women into prostitution. Beware of these type of women even if they are your mothers, sisters, friends or relatives. They too like evil men can't fight for us!

 Eschew violence, seek peace. Don't protect a criminal.Assault is a crime and not a case for a pastor to handle. If the police don't take your case seriously, take it to your other authority. This time, I've taken mine to the civil society.