Sekinah Lawal/
First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has urged people to always speak up whenever there are cases of abuse and called for total eradication of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
She told NewsmakersNG in Lagos that violence against women and girls remained one of the most widespread and devastating human rights violence in the world, adding that achieving gender parity requires more vigorous efforts and legal frameworks, to tackle established anti-female practices spread across socio-cultural and political landscapes.
She said: “Everyone has the right to live their life without threat of violence irrespective of age, gender, religion or any other characteristics of human identity.
“We must all come together to put an end to these acts by supporting not just the passing and implementation of laws to protect girls and women from child marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment but by agitating for its proper monitoring and evaluation.”
She added thatinrevention of violence against women and girls must begin early, stressing that children and young ones must learn early in life from homes, churches, mosques, schools and society generally, the principles of equality, respect and non- violence for future generations irrespective of age, sex or race.
The first lady further urged women and girls not to keep silent in the face of brazen discrimination and abuse but speak up boldly and report such cases to appropriate government agencies, for immediate action.
Mrs. Ambode said: “As a united force, we must act now to end violence against women and girls, to change institutions and work together to end discrimination, restore human rights and dignity, and ensure we leave no one behind.”
The governor’s wife also urged enlightened women, gender-based NGOs and other female sympathetic groups to continue to lead the campaign for total emancipation of all women in line with this year’s theme: “Leave no one behind: end violence against all women and girls”.
NewsmakersNG learnt that many women groups have been commending Mrs. Ambode on her efforts aimed at ensuring better life for women and children in Lagos through her foundation: Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, HOFOWEM, and that of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, and many others complementing the efforts of the state government.
NewsmakersNG understands that through HOFOWEM, Lagos first lady has already given a new face and dimension to the art of social work and community development. One of the themes for the actualization of HOFOWEM’s goals is “Hope for Children’ through which it seeks to help rehabilitate vulnerable children and encourage the education of disadvantaged children in the society.
Also, the wellbeing of deprived children is one core aspect HOFOWEM has been taking good care of. The Scholarship Scheme is another key aspect of the initiative, just to mention a few.
Since the inauguration of HOFOWEM, Mrs. Ambode has been using the platform to put smiles on faces of widows and other less-privileged in the society. For instance, indigent students, widows, multiple birth mothers, orphans and many others have received varied degrees of helps from HOFOWEM at one time or the other while Mrs. Ambode has continued to promise more innovative ways of solving the various challenges in the society.
Same success stories go for her activities at ensuring that women are adequately empowered to face the unfolding present and future challenges. Her office regularly organise trainings for members of COWLSO as well as thousands other women to update their knowledge and expose them to new ideas.