Kwara First Lady Seeks Sustained Action Against Gender-Based Violence

Wife of the Kwara State governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, has called for a united and sustained action against Gender-based Violence (GBV).

She said neither religion nor culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.

Abdulrazaq made the call at a high-level advocacy engagement in Ilorin, the state capital.

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

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

“Gender-based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is 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”, she said.

The state’s commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government’s interventions, including emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to ensure safety and dignity.

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.