The wife of the Kwara State Governor and Chairperson, Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), stating that no religion or culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.
Amb. AbdulRazaq, who is also the Founder, Ajike People’s Support Centre, made the call while addressing a high-level advocacy engagement in Ilorin on Tuesday, urging communities, government agencies, and civil society groups to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion, and respect for human life.
She explained that the engagement was to strengthen advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms, while ensuring structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.
She said: “Gender-Based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is also a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion.
“Yet, 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 well-being of women, children, and 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.”
On her part, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government’s interventions, which included emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity.
Mrs. Afolashade added that more than 1,000 traditional rulers across the state had been trained to enhance community-level prevention and response.
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 to ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma.
The Commissioner gave the hotline numbers of the ministry, 09035509221 or 08069710318 to call whenever there are cases of domestic or sexual violence, abuse, or neglect, among others.
The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Snr. Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, emphasised the role of moral leadership, noting that religious and traditional leaders wield significant influence over community behaviour and must use it to protect women, children, and other vulnerable persons.
In the same vein, the Imam Imale, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should take responsibility for taking proper care of women and the girl-child.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Nna Fatimah Imam, said that preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership, adding that government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders, and faith-based institutions.
Dr. Imam commended faith-based organisations, including the Women’s Wing of CAN and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, for their advocacy and sensitisation efforts.
