Governors of the 36 States of the Federation under the auspices of Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), have recommitted to tackling sexual and gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and child marriage
Chairman of NGF and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, made this recommitment in his address at the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum Stakeholders Session during the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2024.
Represented by Niger State Governor, Muhammed Bago, the NGF chair, underscored the critical role of state leaders in addressing these pressing issues.
He emphasised that effective implementation of laws and policies is essential for empowering women economically, which not only enhances household incomes but also strengthens the foundation of communities.
“The topic being addressed today, sexual and gender based violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, nutrition, women’s economic empowerment, the women’s representations are not just urgent concerns for Nigeria, they are also central to the global agenda for sustainability development.
“As governors, we are aware of our responsibility in tackling these issues at the sub-national level. We understand that laws, policies, international framework, must be implemented by effective local and national governments, by empowering women, economically, we do more than just both household incomes. We strengthen the foundation of our women.”
AbdulRazaq reaffirmed the commitment to fully implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in every state, describing it as a vital tool in combating gender-based violence. The focus, he explained, is not just on legislation but also on strengthening institutions and raising public awareness.
He said: “This landmark legislation is a critical tool in our fight against sexual and gender-based violence,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that laws are only as effective as the systems that enforce them.
To address this, AbdulRazaq explained that the Nigerian Governors are not only focused on passing legislation but also on strengthening institutions, training law enforcement, and raising public awareness. The goal is to ensure that every woman and child in Nigeria can live free, fair, and thrive.
The governors also highlighted the importance of forging new partnerships to drive meaningful change. “The partnership between the government, civil society organizations, international organizations, and grassroots communities are the foundation for sustainable change,” he emphasized.
AbdulRazaq said through collaboration, the governors aim to eradicate harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage, empower women economically, and strengthen women’s representation in leadership. “It is through this collaboration that we can achieve these goals,” he.
In closing, he reiterated the Forum’s support for the Nigerian Governors Spouses’ Forum. “Together, we will ensure that the rights and dignity of women are upheld, paving the way for a future characterized by quality, justice, and employment,” he concluded.
On her part, Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum and First Lady of Kwara State, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, emphasised the urgent need for sustainable solutions to pressing issues affecting women and children in Nigeria.
“Today’s discussions on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, and Child Marriage are not just national concerns but global challenges,” she stated.
According to the Chairperson of the Forum, the role of States’ First Ladies, in collaboration with international organizations like the United Nations and the Gates Foundation, is crucial for transforming the lives of millions of women, youth, and children. Through these partnerships, she said they can create sustainable change and ensure no one is left behind.
“Our role as States’ First Ladies, as well as the collaboration with international organizations such as the United Nations Agencies and the Gates Foundation, amongst others, is pivotal in transforming the lives of millions of women, youths, and children
“It is through these plausible partnerships, both locally and globally, that we can create sustainable change and ensure that no one is left behind”, she said.
Mrs AbdulRazaq noted that over
the past five years, the Forum has leveraged its influence to secure a declaration of a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in response to the surge in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. This declaration lays the groundwork for legislative frameworks aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.
Additionally, she said the Forum initiated vital interventions for victims and survivors of SGBV, including establishing Sexual Assault Referral Centers, shelters, and survivor funds. We have also created GBV desks within police and local government areas, alongside ongoing sensitization programs to raise awareness and ensure that perpetrators face justice.
Mrs Abdulrazaq highlighted the Forum’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment and health initiatives, including nutrition advocacy and cancer awareness programs. “With collaboration from international organizations, we aim to ensure no one is left behind,” she affirmed.
The Forum’s chairperson also
highlighted their extensive efforts to address societal concerns beyond sexual and gender-based violence. These include women’s economic empowerment, representation, girl child education, nutrition, drug abuse, cancer awareness, and climate change.
“Since the inclusion of these concerns into the thematic areas of intervention of the Forum, we have engaged in the training and presentation of tools to beneficiaries of skills acquisition in different vocations, supported women in farming and small businesses while bridging the gap in STEAM education through the promotion of this approach among women and girls,” she stated.
The Forum has also committed to promoting healthy nutrition, advocating for six months of exclusive breastfeeding, six months of paid maternity leave, and encouraging the creation of crèches in workplaces. In collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum and UNICEF Nigeria, the First Ladies are piloting the “Greening Our Future” initiative in Kwara State, promoting home and school gardening.
As coordinators of the First Lady of Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope Initiative,” Mrs AbdulRazaq said the First Ladies have ensured that all programmes, including financial support for the elderly, scholarship grants for undergraduates, petty traders support, and the “Every Home a Garden” project, reach the desired beneficiaries in their respective states.
The First Ladies said they have also lent their voices to advocacies on societal ills, particularly drug abuse. Through collaborations with the NDLEA, they have provided skills acquisition training and tools to rehabilitated drug users while evolving comprehensive eradication strategies.
Furthermore, the First Ladies said they are leading community mobilization efforts, creating awareness, and actively dispelling myths surrounding the HPV vaccine. They are working with GAVI and the Nigeria Governors Forum to implement the first and second phases of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine administration across all 36 states.
“These projects and interventions are ambitious, but at the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, we remain committed to ensuring a better life for our people to complement the efforts of our spouses, the State Governors,” one First Lady emphasized. “With your support and collaboration as businesses and charity organizations, we are convinced that these concerns will be ultimately surmounted.”
She said the session aimed to foster innovative strategies for gender equality, aligning with the UN’s theme of a “Summit of the Future.”
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, called for a strategic refocus to address Nigeria’s challenges. “It doesn’t take anything to change our situation,” she asserted, emphasising the need for commitment and integrity.
She urged First Ladies to become “integrity ambassadors” and leverage mobile courts for justice, with her ministry ready to assist.
She reiterated the need to address grassroots issues in Nigeria, particularly the negative impact of consultancies and the misuse of funds by NGOs.
She emphasize the importance of empowering women to solve national problems, including the establishment of mobile courts to address issues like child begging and school bullying. Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasised, “This is the time for Nigeria to be okay,” noting the president’s support for her programmes.
Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, emphasized the significant influence of women in leadership roles in her goodwill message.
She noted that the spouses of governors wield considerable power to impact millions of lives in Nigeria.
Musawa shared a personal story about her advocacy work against domestic violence and child abuse, highlighting a devastating case involving a young girl named Blessing, who suffered horrific abuse.
She called for collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum to empower citizens through creative initiatives. She outlined her ministry’s goal to contribute $100 billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030 through projects like the Renaissance Project to enhance cultural expression across states.
She said her vision aims to transform Nigeria into a global creative hub, leveraging the country’s rich artistic heritage for economic growth and social change.
