Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has called for urgent action to address gender-based violence, marking the global observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Her message, shared on X on Monday, also launched the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Highlighting the widespread nature of the issue, she stated, “Nearly one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime,” drawing attention to the alarming scope of the problem.
The First Lady also highlighted persistent harmful practices in Nigeria, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, which are often justified by cultural or religious norms.
While recognizing some progress in combating these issues, she emphasized that many women and girls, especially in rural and underserved communities, remain trapped in cycles of violence and inequality.
“Many women and girls remain trapped in these cycles of violence and inequality,” she said, urging for decisive action from society to break these harmful patterns.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on November 25, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 to raise awareness of gender-based violence and mobilize global efforts to combat it.
The date was chosen in honor of the Mirabal sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 under the Trujillo regime. The day marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign that concludes on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
In her statement, the First Lady stressed the importance of collective action across all sectors of society. “We must take collective action across all sectors of society,” she asserted, emphasizing the need for timely prosecution of perpetrators, increased support for survivors, and the creation of safer environments for women and girls.
Education, she noted, is a crucial tool in breaking the cycles of violence. “Formal education for the girl child remains the key to liberating them and helping them make informed choices,” she said, calling for initiatives that ensure girls across Nigeria have access to education.
Her message resonated widely among stakeholders and advocacy groups. Gender rights advocate Amina Yusuf commended the First Lady’s focus on education, saying, “Her focus on education aligns with what we’ve seen in communities—empowered girls are better equipped to resist harmful practices.”
Legal expert Chidi Nwosu also echoed her call for accountability. “Prosecution of offenders and justice for survivors must go hand in hand with community-based preventive efforts,” he said.
The First Lady concluded her message with a call to action for all Nigerians to challenge harmful behaviors and work toward a safer society. “Let us work together to ensure a safer society where everyone, regardless of gender, can live without fear of violence,” she said.
