From Isaac Ojo, Awka
Wife of the Governor of Anambra State and founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Mrs Nonye Soludo has insisted that every stakeholder’s voice must be heard for a successful fight to end violence against women and girls.
Mrs Soludo who made this known in Awka in a statement released to commemorate the 2023 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, noted that the percieved absence of a larger and sincerely concerned voice has made the campaign more difficult to grow weight.
She noted that the intensification of the scourge in households, workplaces and social media calls for urgent attention, even as she charged governments at all levels to invest more time and resources in pursuing policies that will protect the female gender.
Anambra State governor’s wife pointed to the global statistics that an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life, insisting that if conscious approaches are not initiated the number could continue to rise.
Mrs Soludo also explained the need to make tougher legislations to protect the rights of women and girls, while existing statutes should be strengthened and implemented fully to achieve results.
She re-emphasized the need to re-evaluate core family values and child-raising approaches, and urged parents to do the best they can to instill the morals of respect and value for women in their children.
She also urged those who are going through abusive situations to speak up, noting that taking such bold action will drive away stigmas and shame.
Mrs Soludo further maintained that her husband’s administration has made significant progress in entrenching women-friendly policies, and is tough in addressing cases of abuse, violence and other forms of social ills against women and girls in Anambra State.
