Kwara First Lady: Gender Based Violence not only Violation of Human Rights but Barrier to Devt, Peace

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

The Kwara State First Lady and Chairperson Nigeria Governor’s Spouses Forum (NGSF), Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, yesterday said that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not only a violation of human rights but also a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion.

She therefore called for a united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country stating that neither religion nor culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices. 

 AbdulRazaq, also the founder of Ajike People’s Support Centre stated this in Ilorin on Tuesday while addressing a high-level advocacy engagement on the GBV.

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

She explained 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.

She said, “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, normalize 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 wellbeing 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”.

Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government’s interventions, which included emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity. 

Mrs. 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.

The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Snr. Apst. Shina Ibiyemi, emphasized the role of moral leadership, noting that religious and traditional leaders wield significant influence over community behaviour and must use it to protect women, children, and other vulnerable persons.

Similarly, the Imam Imale, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should shadow the responsibilities of taking better care of women and the girl-child.

The Commissioner for Social Development in the state, Dr. Fatimah Imam, said that preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership, adding that government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders, and faith-based institutions.

Dr. Imam, commended faith-based organisations, including the Women’s Wing of CAN and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, for their advocacy and sensitization efforts.