By Uche Onyeali
International Council of Women, ICW-CIF, has launched a global campaign to put an end to violence against infants and minors across nations.
The council launched the campaign at their triennial General Assembly held in Marrakech, Morocco, from June 23 to 28, 2025.
The conference, hosted by Morocco’s National Union of Moroccan Women, UNFM, at Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel, brought together women leaders worldwide to strategise on gender equity, elect new officials and adopt critical resolutions for women and children’s welfare.
Marking another historical outing for Africa in global elections, the event saw four African women, including three from Nigeria and one from Madagascar, clinching key positions in the ICW-CIF.
First, a former National President of the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda (Nigeria) was re-elected as ICW-CIF’s board member for a second term (2025–2028).
Dr. Shoda also served as ICW-CIF’s Coordinator for Social Issues (2018-2022), and currently serves as President of ARCW-CRAF.
Also elected is the current National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura (Nigeria), as the coordinator, Standing Committee on General Well-being.
The council equally elected Mrs. Geraldine Etuk (Nigeria) as the Advisor, International Relations and Peace under the Standing Committee for the Status of Women, followed by Ms. Estelle Razanadrakoto (Madagascar), who emerged Advisor for Women and Empowerment under the Sustainable Development Committee.
Their victories underscored Africa’s growing influence in global women’s advocacy.
In another development, ARCW-CRAF on June 25, 2025, held its regional meeting where it adopted a Unified Stand for Africa’s Children.
The meeting, chaired by the President, Dr. Shoda, was attended by the Vice President, Ms. Mapula Nkomo (South Africa), board member, Ms. Patricia Mabataung, represented by Melefa Mosala, President of NCW (Lesotho), and the Secretary, Ms. Estelle Andriamasy (Madagascar).
Other participants were national council presidents, including Princess Edna Azura (Nigeria); Helen M. Ntlatleng (South Africa); Melefa I. Mosala (Lesotho); Estelle Andriamasy (Madagascar), and Joelle Bile (DR Congo).
Also in attendance at the meeting were NCWS state patrons including the first ladies of Bayelsa State, Dr. Gloria Diri; Dr. Nafisa Idris (Kebbi), and Mrs. Priscilla Otti of Abia, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Chief (Mrs.) Ifeoma Thomas, as well as ICW-CIF life members and delegates from Morocco and other African nations.
Among the resolutions adopted at the Marrakech conference include: Protecting Africa’s Youngest, which came after exhaustive deliberations on pervasive gender-based violence, particularly against infants (ages 0–5). ARCW-CRAF unanimously adopted the ‘Awareness Campaign on Violence Against Infants and Minors.’
Other key resolutions are: Annual Awareness Day to commemorate victims, advocate for justice and educate communities; Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in partnership with governments, NGOs, and media to institutionalise child protection measures, and Continental Advocacy, urging African governments to prioritise legal and policy frameworks for minors’ safety.
Presenting the regional report and communiqué to ICW-CIF leadership on June 26 for global endorsement for the campaign, ARCW-CRAF president, Dr. Shoda noted that “Africa’s children deserve a future free from violence. This campaign is our pledge to amplify their voices and hold systems accountable.”
She added that ARCW-CRAF would work with national councils to implement the campaign, beginning with sensitisation programmes in Nigeria, South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar, and DR Congo.
Details of the communiqué read: “The Africa Regional Council of Women, ARCW-CRAF, at its regional meeting at the ICW-CIF 37th General Assembly in Marrakech, deliberated extensively on the alarming and growing incidence of violence—physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and structural—against infants and minors across the continent.
“Moved by the urgent need to address this grave concern, the Council unanimously adopted the ‘Awareness Campaign on Violence Against Infants and Minors’ as an official priority programme of the ARCW.
“We recognise that infants and young children are among the most vulnerable members of society, often voiceless and invisible in discussions surrounding violence and abuse. It is therefore our collective moral and civic responsibility to speak and act on their behalf.
“While we are fully aware of the long-standing and widespread existence of sexual and other forms of violence across all age groups, this campaign is intentionally and specifically focused on infants and minors, whose particular vulnerabilities demand urgent and concentrated attention.
“As part of this adoption, ARCW proposes the institution of an annual ‘Day of Awareness, Remembrance, and Accountability for Victims of Violence Against Infants and Minors.’ This day will serve three purposes:
“Awareness: To educate communities, governments, and institutions about the silent epidemic of violence against infants and minors;
Remembrance: To honor the memory of young lives lost or permanently affected by acts of violence; Accountability & Follow-up: To monitor and advocate for justice in cases involving child victims, ensuring that these cases are not forgotten and that systemic change is pursued.
“The council will work with child protection agencies, international organisations, civil society and the media to ensure the full institutionalisation and observance of this day across African countries.
“We call on the International Council of Women, other women organisations, youth groups, religious leaders, medical professionals, and policymakers to join us in amplifying the voices of infants and minors, protecting their rights, and ensuring their safety.
“Violence against children in any form is unacceptable. As mothers, caregivers, advocates and leaders, we must stand together to end this scourge.”
