The Wives of Nigeria Governors Forum has reaffirmed its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence towards women across states, according to a report issued after a closed-door meeting at the Centenary City, New Government House, Abakaliki, on Thursday.
The communiqué, read by the forum’s Chairperson and First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, highlighted the forum’s resolve to address sexual and gender-based violence as part of its efforts to foster development in service to their states and the nation.
“The forum affirms yet again its unwavering resolve to keep up the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their various states,” the statement read.
Additionally, the First Ladies expressed support for the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) Initiative, pledging to advocate for increased HPV vaccine uptake to protect the health of young girls. They announced plans for targeted sensitization efforts aimed at wives of local government chairmen to raise awareness of HPV vaccination and cancer prevention.
The First Ladies also committed to promoting six months of paid maternity leave and pledged to work with governors and state legislators to push for the policy’s adoption across all states, aimed at enhancing maternity and child welfare.
The meeting observed a one-minute silence in memory of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State. A total of 23 First Ladies attended the gathering.
