Gender Rights
WOCON is the foremost center to focus on gender, health and human rights, and combines strong commitment to service and advocacy with Human rights education in Nigeria and the sub-Saharan region of Africa.
Women's Consortium of Nigeria was founded by Mrs. Bisi Olateru - Olagbegi because of her concern for the plight of the Nigerian woman, and the gender persecution and violations of their human rights they suffer throughout their lives due to ignorance, superstitious beliefs and poverty.
What is gender persecution?
Nigerian women suffer violations of their human rights through:
- Violence in the home
- Sexual harassment at school and work
- Rape and defilement
- Harsh and punitive widowhood rites
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Forced childhood marriages
- Sexual violence in conflict situations and during armed robbery attacks
- Enforcement of gender biased laws
- Discrimination against the girl-child
- Disinheritance of wives and daughters
- Harmful traditional practices.
WOCON renders free legal services to victims of gender abuse through its Pro Bono services, campaigns for the elimination of gender related persecution of Women in Nigeria, Alerts civil society on any violations of Women 's Rights in Nigeria and Advocates for gender equality and equity in Nigeria and environs.