Kwara first lady canvases sustained action against genda-based violence

Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the Wife of the Kwara State Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), has called for united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), stressing that neither religion nor culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.

Abdulrazaq, who is also the Founder of the Ajike People’s Support Centre, made the call while addressing a high-level advocacy engagement in Ilorin, on Tuesday.

She urged communities, government agencies and civil society organisations to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion, and respect for human life.

The first lady explained that the engagement was aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms, while ensuring structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.

Read also: Why faith and traditional leaders are essential to ending gender-based violence

“Gender-Based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion.

“Beyond physical acts of violence, we must confront the harmful social norms that enable it norms that excuse abuse, silence survivors, normalise inequality, and teach our children that violence is acceptable or private.

“I commend the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum for its consistent leadership in championing the protection, dignity, and wellbeing of women, children, and other vulnerable persons across the country.

“I also extend sincere gratitude to the Ford Foundation for its partnership, technical support, and commitment to social justice, equity, and community-driven change,” she said.

For her part, Oluwakemi Afolashade, Commissioner for Women Affairs, outlined the State Government’s interventions, which include emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity.

Afolashade added that over 1,000 traditional rulers across the State had been trained to strengthen community-level prevention and response mechanisms.

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 ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma.

The commissioner, however, provided the Ministry’s’ hotlines—09035509221 and 08069710318—for reporting cases of domestic or sexual violence, abuse, or neglect.