By Victoria Okpanachi
In a determined effort to secure a safer future for women and girls, Kogi State First Lady, Hajiya Sefinat Ododo, has taken the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the grassroots.
The campaign, which cuts across the three senatorial districts of the State, was held on Monday in Okene as part of the activities to commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
With the theme: “We stand against gender-based violence, every woman deserves a future,” Hajiya Sefinat emphasised the importance of collective actions in dismantling the societal structures that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
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According to her, the campaign is about ending gender-based violence at the grassroots, stressing that every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence, while accessing opportunities available to them.
She emphasised the importance of addressing gender-based violence promptly to pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable society.
She urged women to guide their children, especially the girls, to adopt positive values from social media while remaining vigilant about its potential dangers.
The wife of the Governor commended the wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for standing firm on this campaign, while reassuring women in the state of her continuous support.
While addressing the gathering, His Royal Highness, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ahmed Tijani Anaje, called on women to serve as pillars of strength within their families.
He also encouraged couples to uphold mutual respect, emphasising that fostering harmony within households is key to building a progressive and thriving community.
In her goodwill message, Hajiya Miriam Abedo, Director General of the State Pension Commission, emphasised the role of women in fostering family progress.
She urged men to treat their wives with respect and dignity, stressing that mutual respect is key to building strong and healthy families.
Wife of the Attorney General of the State, Mrs. Kareemat Abdullahi who addressed the gathering, called on stakeholders to collaborate to ensure an end to gender-based violence.
She highlighted the importance of proper parenting, encouraging parents to focus on raising well-grounded children who can contribute positively to society.
Barrister Esther John of the International Federation of Female Lawyers who gave a lecture, emphasised the need for women to stand against violence and every form of violence especially in the State.
She stressed that it is a crime to abuse a woman and advised women not to endure any form of abuse.
