The wife of the Kwara Governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
AbdulRazaq said that no religion or culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.
She made the call at a town hall and community advocacy meeting for traditional, religious and community stakeholders on Tuesday in Ilorin.
The wife of the governor urged communities, government agencies and civil society groups to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion and respect for human life.
She explained that the engagement, with the theme “Transforming Harmful Social Norms Through Community Leadership,” was aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms.
AbdulRazaq promised structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.
“Gender-Based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is a barrier to development, peace and social cohesion.
“Yet, beyond physical acts of violence, we must confront the harmful social norms that enable it — norms that excuse abuse, silence survivors, normalise inequality and teach our children that violence is acceptable or private.
“I commend the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) for its consistent leadership in championing the protection, dignity and wellbeing of women, children and vulnerable persons across the country.
“I also extend sincere gratitude to the Ford Foundation for its partnership, technical support and commitment to social justice, equity and community-driven change,” she said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government’s interventions, which include emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity.
Afolashade added that more than 1,000 traditional rulers across the state had been trained to enhance community-level prevention and response.
She described the engagement as a call to action, urging traditional and religious leaders to support the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma.
The commissioner gave the hotline numbers 09035509221 and 08069710318, urging residents to contact the Ministry of Women Affairs whenever there are cases of domestic or sexual violence, abuse, neglect, among others.
The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Shina Ibiyemi, emphasised the role of moral leadership, noting that religious and traditional leaders wield significant influence over community behaviour and must use it to protect women, children and other vulnerable persons.
Similarly, an Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should shoulder the responsibility of taking better care of women and the girl-child.
The Commissioner for Social Development in the state, Dr NnaFatimah Imam, said preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership.
Imam said government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders and faith-based institutions.
She commended faith-based organisations, including the Women’s Wing of CAN and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, for their advocacy and sensitisation efforts.
Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that a communique was signed at the end of the event by traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders and the NGSF, with a pledge to publicly condemn all forms of gender-based violence, promote protective cultural and religious teachings, among others.
