16 Days Of Activism: Coordinator Office Of The First Lady Condemns Violence Against Women, Calls for Policy Reforms

By Adesuwa Ehimuan

In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United Nations this year adopts the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”

In Edo State, the Coordinator Office of the Edo First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, condemned violence against women as a detrimental force that impedes progress and called for policy reforms to protect the rights of women and girls, especially in the face of rising online harassment, cyber‑stalking and tech‑facilitated abuse.

During a road‑walk and sensitisation event at kings-square, the Edo State House of Assembly, Oka Market and other major street, Mrs. Anani launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑Based Violence (GBV). She thanked stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Agbebaku, for advancing women‑supportive policies and for his commitment to strengthening anti‑violence legislation aimed at guaranteeing a safe society for all.

Aligning with her office’s efforts to combat GBV in Edo State, Mrs. Anani stressed the need for digital accountability, survivor support and community action to create safe spaces both online and offline. She said:

“Our goal is to reduce sexual assault and violence against women, to create a society that is free and safe, not just for women, but for everyone. Violence is universal—it affects boys, girls, women and men. Today we stand against this violence. I thank the Speaker for recognising that violence against women is not just a women’s issue; it is a human‑rights violation. We extend this gratitude to every member of the cabinet.”

Addressing traders at Oka Market, Mrs. Anani urged women to recognise their self‑worth and reject the notion that they must endure GBV. She condemned acts such as eviction, abandonment by spouses, refusal to pay children’s tuition, child abuse, cyber‑stalking and cyber‑bullying, and called on survivors to speak out. She commended His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo for establishing a sexual‑assault referral centres in Uromi, Esan North-East LGA, Edo State.

Earlier, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Agbebaku advocated for greater female representation in government and reiterated the House’s support for women’s rights, stating, “Out of 24 commissioners, four or five is not enough; at least ten should be women.” He pledged to review and strengthen penalties for violence against women, emphasising that harsher consequences would serve as a deterrent.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, highlighted the dual nature of the internet—facilitating progress while also enabling cyber‑stalking and violence. Citing UN data that nearly one in three women worldwide has experienced online violence and a 2020 National Democratic Institute report that 40 % of Nigerian women online have faced cyber‑bullying, she called for legislation and digital‑literacy programmes to create safer online spaces.

Former Deputy Speaker,Edo State Assembly member, Rt. Hon. Mariam Edeko, appreciated the Seventh Assembly for passing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, describing it as Nigeria’s most progressive legislation for women. She assured that further actions would be announced by the Speaker.

Traders such as Edith Uwem and Uwayemwen Samson shared personal experiences of GBV and urged government action. The campaign’s highlight was the one‑on‑one sessions held by Mrs. Anani and her team with market traders to raise GBV awareness and promote prevention.

The 16 Days of Activism will continue across Edo State, aiming to reduce sexual assault and build a society safe for all gender.