The First Lady of Imo state, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma has charged women not to condone the menace of gender based violence that is eating deep into the fabrics of the society.
She made this known while speaking at a women conference organised to mark this year’s 16 days activism against gender based violence campaign.
The first lady represented by the Commissioner for Women’s’ Affairs and Vulnerable Group, Hon. Lady Nkechi Ugwu disclosed that every woman should speak up in the face of abuse, adding that it will curtail the menace of violence.
She also cautioned mothers to imbibe the habit of speaking up when they are being abused physically and emotionally, stressing that the violence has increased because of ignorance.
In her remarks, the legislator representing Njaba LGA in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Uju Onwudiwe urged women to be submissive to their husbands in order not to attract domestic abuse. She also advised women to establish communication with their children in order to know when they are abused. She also called on women to love themselves and be a support system to other women in the fight to end gender based violence.
The guest speaker, Ms Ishiaku Fatima Ada in her speech said the fight against gender based violence should start from the grassroots. Ms Fatima who was also a rape victim spoke extensively on the impact of protecting children against rape and other forms of abuse, advised parents especially mothers to introduce sex education to their children so that they will be knowledgeable enough to reject every form of sexual and physical advance. She also advised mothers to protect their girl child and seek for justice if they fall victim of sexual harassment.
