'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The First Lady of Kogi State, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called for united efforts to address the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV), highlighting its detrimental effects on women, children, and society at large.
Speaking at an event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women held at the Government House, Lokoja, Hajia Sefinat stressed the importance of fostering family values such as love, tolerance, and mutual respect among spouses. She emphasized that these values play a pivotal role in curbing the menace of gender-based violence.
The First Lady urged men to respect their spouses, recognizing the immense sacrifices women make in nurturing families. She further encouraged women and girls to empower themselves through education and entrepreneurial skills, noting that economic self-reliance is critical in combating GBV. She also advocated for intensified grassroots campaigns, where GBV incidents are more likely to be prevalent.
Hajia Sefinat assured attendees of her commitment to fostering collaborations between her office, non-governmental organizations, and relevant government agencies to tackle gender-based violence effectively.
Acknowledging the contributions of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hajia Sefinat commended her unwavering support in eliminating violence against women, particularly in Kogi State.
The event featured goodwill messages from speakers who called on parents to instill respect and modesty in their children. They emphasized the dual responsibility of raising girls to be confident and self-respecting while nurturing boys to value and respect women’s rights.
The program, organized to create awareness and drive action against gender-based violence, reaffirmed the collective responsibility required to create a safe and inclusive society for all.
