Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, the First Lady of Kogi State, has called for a united approach to addressing the underlying causes of gender-based violence in society.
She emphasized the urgency of this effort, citing the increasing incidents of violence against women and its harmful effects on children, families, and communities.
In a statement released by her media office on Saturday, Mrs. Ododo made this appeal during an event held at the Government House, Lokoja, to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Hajia Sefinat stressed the importance of fostering family values such as love, tolerance, and mutual respect between spouses as part of the solution to this societal challenge.
She encouraged men to show mutual respect for their partners, acknowledging the vital roles women play in the family.
Promising collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government ministries, and other agencies, the Kogi State First Lady reiterated that combating gender-based violence requires collective responsibility.
Mrs. Ododo also urged women and girls to empower themselves with knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to achieve self-reliance, emphasizing the importance of taking the campaign to grassroots communities where such violence is more pervasive.
She took the opportunity to commend the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support in the fight against violence against women in Kogi State.
The event also featured goodwill messages from various speakers who advised parents to instill modesty in their daughters and teach boys to respect women’s rights.
