Kwara State First Lady and Chairperson Nigeria Governor’s Spouses Forum (NGSF), Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq has advocated a united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country
Professor AbdulRazaq, also the founder of Ajike People’s Support Centre made the call in Ilorin while addressing a high-level advocacy engagement on the GBV.
She stated that neither religion nor culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.
According to her, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not only a violation of human rights but also a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion.
She urged communities, government agencies, and civil society groups to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion, and respect for human life.
She explained the engagement aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms while ensuring structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.
The First Lady commended the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum for its consistent leadership in championing the protection, dignity, and wellbeing of women, children, and vulnerable persons across the country.
Also speaking at the event, State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government’s interventions, which included emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity.
Mrs. 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 to ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma.
In her remark, Commissioner for Social Development in the state, Dr. Fatimah Imam, said that preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership, adding that government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders, and faith-based institutions.
Dr. Imam, commended faith-based organisations, including the Women’s Wing of CAN and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, for their advocacy and sensitization efforts.
The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Snr. Apst. Shina Ibiyemi, emphasized 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, the Imam Imale, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should shadow the responsibilities of taking better care of women and the girl-child.
