The wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged collective action, sustained campaigns, and effective measures to end gender-based violence in Nigeria.
Soludo, founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, emphasised that the campaign must go beyond words and hashtags, calling for practical solutions and lasting narrative change.
The Anambra First Lady expressed these views in a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
She noted that the day also signals the start of the 16-day Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which concludes on 10 December—Human Rights Day.
Soludo highlighted that empowering women and girls through education, accessible quality healthcare, job opportunities, and strengthening social institutions are vital steps to tackling gender-based violence.
The statement reads in part: “On Tuesday, November 25, we joined the global community in raising a voice for action on this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“This day launches a sixteen-day campaign of activism against gender-based violence, concluding on December 10, Human Rights Day.
“These observances remind us that the campaign calls for more than words or hashtags; practical activism and narrative change are urgently needed.
“In a world where women and girls still face threats from environments and institutions meant to support them, we must move beyond rhetoric to real action.
“Eliminating gender-based discrimination is everyone’s responsibility—at home, in schools, workplaces, places of worship, and wherever human relationships exist. Every woman deserves protection and support to flourish.
“Central to this campaign is breaking the silence of those suffering abuse.
“Speaking up is crucial in combating this scourge. Talk to others, report abuse to the appropriate authorities, just speak up!
“We can end gender-based violence by addressing the right concerns and taking effective measures. Empowering women and girls through education, healthcare access, job creation, and social institution strengthening is far more potent than we realise.
“Thankfully, Anambra State recognises these challenges and has significantly shifted the narrative.”
Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, similarly stressed the urgent need to tackle both offline and online violence against women and girls, highlighting concerns over growing threats such as online abuse and exploitation.
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