UZODIMMA URGES TRADITIONAL, RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The wife of the Imo State Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community stakeholders to spearhead efforts to eliminate gender-based violence, stressing that harmful cultural practices can only be dismantled through sustained grassroots advocacy and collective action.
Mrs Uzodimma made the call in Owerri during a two-day advocacy programme and town hall meeting on the prevention of gender-based violence organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum in partnership with the Ford Foundation.
The programme, themed “Empowering Grassroots Champions for Gender-Based Violence Prevention,” brought together wives of local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women leaders and community advocates to strengthen grassroots efforts aimed at protecting women and girls from abuse.
Addressing participants, the First Lady described the gathering as more than an advocacy engagement, saying it represented “a call to leadership and collective responsibility.”
She noted that many harmful practices have persisted because they have been accepted and normalised over generations, adding that respected community leaders have a critical role to play in changing such narratives.
“Social norms can change when trusted voices speak differently, consistently and courageously. Every one of you gathered here represents such a trusted voice,” she said.
Uzodimma urged wives of local government chairmen to leverage their positions to identify and address early signs of abuse within their communities before they escalate into crises.
According to her, the advocacy initiative is designed to equip participants as grassroots champions who will promote justice, lawful interventions, healing and support for survivors.
She also called on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to discourage harmful practices and protect vulnerable members of society.
“Violence is not culture. Abuse is not discipline. Protecting women and girls does not weaken society; it strengthens it,” she said.
The First Lady further described faith-based and traditional institutions as powerful platforms for promoting justice, compassion and peace, urging community leaders to speak out against violence and support victims.
“When leaders stand together, silence is broken. When silence is broken, change begins,” she added.
Earlier, the programme facilitator and Director in the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Blessing Azubuike, said the initiative was aimed at taking the campaign against gender-based violence beyond government institutions to communities across the state.
She said the active involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community influencers would help challenge harmful social norms, improve the reporting of abuse and strengthen community response mechanisms.
Azubuike urged participants to become advocates for the prevention of gender-based violence within their communities, describing prevention as the most effective strategy for tackling the menace.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Chinenyenwa Owuamalam, described the initiative as a significant step toward achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
She noted that gender-based violence undermines the health, education and economic wellbeing of women and girls, stressing that ending the scourge is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Owuamalam commended Mrs Uzodimma for championing community-driven interventions, expressing confidence that the advocacy programme would inspire lasting behavioural change across Imo State.
Participants at the town hall meeting pledged to intensify awareness campaigns in their respective communities and collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent abuse, protect survivors and promote safer homes and communities.
The two-day programme features community dialogues, advocacy sessions, the unveiling of public awareness materials and the inauguration of a network of grassroots advocates expected to drive sustained campaigns against gender-based violence across Imo State.
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