The Enugu State government has flagged off 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a resounding call for collective action to end gender-based violence.
The flag-off event, a collaborative effort between the office of the First Lady of the state and the Custos Care Foundation, held at the Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB) headquarters in Enugu on Tuesday, brought together over 600 women, girls, traditional rulers, legal professionals, and activists, all united in the mission to eradicate violence against women and girls.
In her address, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah highlighted the state’s unwavering commitment to ending gender-based violence.
Mrs. Mbah, who was represented by the wife of the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinyere Ugwu, said the event was crucial because violence against women and girls remained a pervasive issue that could no longer be ignored
“We must refuse to accept violence as inevitable, remain silent in the face of injustice, or allow fear to paralyze our actions.
“The Enugu State Government is committed to making the eradication of gender-based violence a top priority, and we will not rest until this issue is fully addressed,” she remarked.
The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign that runs annually from November 25 to December 10, aimed at raising awareness and driving action to end violence against women and girls.
The Enugu event, marking the beginning of the campaign, was designed to mobilize the public and key stakeholders to take urgent and impactful steps in addressing the widespread issue of gender-based violence both in Enugu State and globally.
The event featured inspirational speeches, performances and discussions, all focused on the need to act boldly and decisively in combating gender violence.
The event also included an empowering panel discussion, where experts shared best practices, resources, and strategies to help participants take meaningful action in their communities. These discussions aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the issue and equipping attendees with the tools necessary to drive change.
Notable figures in attendance, underscoring the critical importance of a unified effort across all sectors of society to end gender-based violence, included Mrs. Rita Edeh, wife of the Chairperson of the Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Okechukwu Asadu, represented by Igwe Hyacinth Edeani of Amechi-Idodo, as well as representatives from civil society organizations and community groups.