The Centre for the Promotion of Women and the Family in Akwa, Littoral Region has inaugurated a toll-free number, 233 42 56 68 as strategy to check the frequent cases of violence against women.

The Secretary General of the Women Promotion Centre in Akwa, Ludovic Etienne Ngbwa officially presented the number to the public on Tuesday 2nd December 2014.

Women, victims of domestic, physical, psychological or any other form of violence are encouraged to call the number which is free-of-charge; competent officials shall be on hand to provide counselling.

This initiative was taken because of the alarming reports on how women face violence in different forms both at the level of their matrimonial homes and family; violence that sometimes result to injuries.

Gender-based violence is considered one of the worst forms of violence reasons why international and non-governmental organisations like UNWomen are mobilized to check it.

On 25th November, 2014, the international community celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women as a means of raising awareness.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been one of the champions in the fight. He once declared, “Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girls, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to continue."