AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

She described the council chairmen’s spouses as critical agents of change at the grassroots, urging them to ensure the elimination of GBV in their communities.

AbdulRazaq also commiserated with the people of Kaiama Local Government Area of the state over the terrorist attack that left many dead.

She emphasised that social change begins at the community level, noting that harmful social norms such as victim-blaming, early and forced marriage, and rigid gender roles must be challenged.

“Gender-Based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion.

“This training equips you with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools to engage communities constructively and support survivors with empathy.

“It will also help you promote positive values that uphold respect, equality, and non-violence,” she said.

A sexual and gender-based violence expert, Dr Christy Abayomi, said the training was designed to strengthen community response, documentation, and referral mechanisms.

According to her, one in three women globally will experience violence in her lifetime.

Abayomi noted that under-reporting remained a major challenge due to fear, stigma, and social pressure.

In a lecture titled ‘Legal and Policy Frameworks on SGBV’, Prof. Yusuf Abdul-Hamid urged community and religious leaders to promote legal awareness and accountability.

Abdul-Hamid said grassroots champions could challenge harmful norms and support girls’ education.

He said courts must tighten the interpretation of consent, recognise economic deprivation and psychological harm, and award damages to survivors.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Oluwakemi Afolashade, encouraged the participants to use their influence to change community attitudes.

Afolashade said that with unity of purpose, communities could build strong networks that not only respond to GBV cases but also prevent them through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor, in collaboration with the Ajike People Support Centre, the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), and the Ford Foundation. (NAN)

AbdulRazaq said that no religion or culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.

She made the call at a town hall and community advocacy meeting for traditional, religious and community stakeholders on Tuesday in Ilorin.

The wife of the governor urged communities, government agencies and civil society groups to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion and respect for human life.

She explained that the engagement, with the theme “Transforming Harmful Social Norms Through Community Leadership,” was aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms.

AbdulRazaq promised structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.

“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, normalise inequality and teach our children that violence is acceptable or private.

“I commend the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum(NGSF) 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,” she said.

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

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 ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma.

The commissioner gave the hotline numbers 09035509221 and 08069710318, urging residents to contact the Ministry of Women Affairs whenever there are cases of domestic or sexual violence, abuse, neglect, among others.

The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Shina Ibiyemi, emphasised 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, an Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should shoulder the responsibility of taking better care of women and the girl-child.

The Commissioner for Social Development in the state, Dr NnaFatimah Imam, said preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership.

Imam said government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders and faith-based institutions.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a communique was signed at the end of the event by traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders and the NGSF, with a pledge to publicly condemn all forms of gender-based violence, promote protective cultural and religious teachings, among others. (NAN)