The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, along with the wives of state governors, signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful social practices against women across the country.
The agreement was formalized during the inaugural Gender and Social Norms Summit 2024, held in Abuja and organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Office of the First Lady.
In her keynote address, Senator Tinubu highlighted the persistent and alarming rates of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and various forms of violence against women and girls. She called for stronger enforcement of laws against perpetrators of such crimes, urging law enforcement agencies and the National Assembly to ensure that offenders are not allowed to walk free.
“The prevalence of these harmful practices is unacceptably high,” Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need for collective action to eliminate these issues. She advocated for the development of state-specific action plans and the allocation of adequate resources to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programs.
UNFPA Officer-In-Charge for Nigeria, Mr. Koessan Kuawu, underscored the importance of family planning as a key element of gender equality and women’s empowerment. He praised Nigeria’s legislative efforts, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the National FGM Policy, but noted that social norms and cultural barriers continue to hinder progress in many communities.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Uju Ohanneye, and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), both stressed the need for stricter penalties and legal reforms to address the deep-rooted societal norms that perpetuate violence against women. They emphasized the role of the justice system and community engagement in creating a more equitable society.
The summit concluded with a unified commitment from all stakeholders to intensify efforts in combating GBV and harmful practices, ensuring a safer and more just environment for women and girls in Nigeria.
