Imo First Lady rallies stakeholders against gender-based violence

The First Lady of Imo State,  Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, has rallied key stakeholders to intensify the campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), stressing that lasting change requires collective action, courageous leadership and a deliberate shift in harmful social norms.

Mrs Uzodimma made the call Thursday while addressing participants at the two-day Stakeholders’ Programme of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum in collaboration with the Ford Foundation State Level Advocacy Engagement, held in Owerri.

The programme, with the theme; “Empowering Grassroots, champions for  Gender-Based Violence prevention,” brought together spouses of local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations, women leaders and other community stakeholders to strengthen grassroots efforts toward ending gender-based violence.

Describing the gathering as “more than an ordinary engagement,” the Imo First Lady said it was “a call to leadership and collective responsibility,” noting that many harmful practices persist because they have been accepted and normalised over generations.

She charged spouses of local government chairmen to become community champions against gender-based violence by promoting dialogue, educating their communities and supporting survivors.

“Violence is not culture. Abuse is not discipline, and protecting women and girls does not weaken society; it strengthens peace,” she declared.

Barr. Uzodimma, wife of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also urged traditional and religious leaders to use their positions of influence to promote justice, compassion and respect for human dignity, emphasising that communities are transformed when trusted voices speak boldly against injustice.

The First Lady further called for sustained collaboration in advocating lawful interventions, protecting survivors and raising public awareness, adding that “every woman deserves dignity, every girl deserves protection and every family deserves to live free from violence.”

“When leaders stand together, silence is broken; and when silence is broken, change begins,” she insisted.

The programme featured; lectures/interactive sessions on Gender Responsibilities, and Gender Based Violence (GBV),  by the Director Child Development and Child Care, Ministry of Women Affairs, Imo State, Dr. Mrs. Blessing Azubuike, and Mrs Uzodimma urged all to speak out and break the cultures of silence when GBV is observed.

She further explained that GBV takes many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and economic abuse, as well as harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, stressing that these acts have severe and lifelong consequences for survivors.

Participants pledged to take the roles seriously and serve as advocates in their communities, raise awareness and promote attitude that rejects SGBV.

The Speaker Imo State, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe and some members of the House, Commissioners, wives of Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers and their spouses,  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) members, market women, youth organisations and other stakeholders too numerous to mention attended the event.