Imo First Lady Urges Traditional, Religious Leaders to Champion Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

Violence is not culture. Abuse is not discipline. Protecting women and girls does not weaken society; it strengthens it.

The Imo state Governor's wife, Chioma Uzodimma, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to take the lead in ending gender-based violence. She made this call at a two-day advocacy programme in Owerri, the Imo state capital, themed 'Empowering Grassroots Champions for Gender-Based Violence Prevention'.

The programme, organised by the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum in partnership with the Ford Foundation, brought together wives of local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women leaders, and community advocates to strengthen community-based efforts at preventing violence against women and girls.

Addressing participants, Mrs. Uzodimma described the gathering as 'more than an advocacy engagement', saying it was 'a call to leadership and collective responsibility'. She said, 'Social norms can change when trusted voices speak differently, consistently, and courageously. Every one of you gathered here represents such a trusted voice.'

Mrs. Uzodimma explained that many harmful practices have endured because they have been accepted and normalised over generations, stressing that trusted community leaders have a critical role to play in changing such narratives. She noted that wives of local government chairmen stand at the intersection of governance and community life, often hearing whispers before they become crises and noticing warning signs before they become painful statistics.

She urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to use their influence to discourage harmful practices and protect vulnerable members of society. Mrs. Uzodimma stated that faith and traditional institutions remain powerful platforms for promoting justice, compassion, and peace, urging community leaders to speak openly against violence and support survivors.

The First Lady added that when leaders stand together, silence is broken, and when silence is broken, change begins. She commended the wives of local government chairmen for their commitment to community development and urged them to become advocates in their respective communities.

The programme facilitator, Mrs. Blessing Azubuike, noted that the engagement aimed to take the campaign against gender-based violence beyond government institutions to the grassroots. She urged participants to become advocates in their communities, emphasizing that prevention is the most effective strategy for reducing cases of gender-based violence.

The Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Chinenyenwa Owuamalam, described the initiative as a critical step towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development. She noted that gender-based violence undermines the health, education, and economic wellbeing of women and girls, emphasizing the importance of ending the menace to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants at the meeting pledged to intensify awareness campaigns within their communities and collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent abuse, protect survivors, and promote safer homes and communities.

The two-day programme features community dialogues, advocacy sessions, the unveiling of public awareness materials, and the inauguration of a network of grassroots advocates expected to drive sustained campaigns against gender-based violence across Imo State.