The Nigeria Governors Wives Forum (NGWF) has vowed to collaborate with UNICEF to put an end to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the nation.
Following its quarterly meeting on Tuesday, November 7, in Bauchi, the organisation released a communiqué that included the pledge.
The First Ladies supported a joint UNICEF-led agreement to eradicate sexual harassment of women and children as well as harmful cultural practises against them during the meeting.
The press release revealed that on November 9 and 10, 2023, the Forum will host a workshop on sexual and gender-based violence in collaboration with UN Women.
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The NCWF’s workplan for 2024 was discussed by members during the third annual retreat in Bauchi, according to the communiqué.
The “Nigeria Governors Wives’ Forum” (NIGWF) was decided to be renamed as the “Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum” (NGSE).
The release said, “This development highlights the proactive role the First Ladies play in promoting greater representation of women in leadership roles.”
It said, “Members were able to interact and develop a greater understanding of the various states within our great nation through this retreat.”
According to the report, the occasion united governors’ wives from different states in Nigeria to foster cooperation, advancement, and support for their governments and the country at large.
It said that the First Ladies reaffirmed their resolve to step up public education and lobbying for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
This thorough awareness campaign will effectively address the opposition being faced at the grassroots level, thanks to their strong collaboration with primary health professionals and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, according to the statement.
It witnessed the First Ladies’ effective and widespread mobilisation and participation in the hand washing awareness campaign, the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) sensitization campaign, and other events throughout several states during World Breastfeeding Week.
It further stated that, in collaboration with the Labour Business School and the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), the First Ladies had all backed the Women Digital Upskilling programme.
In order to close the gender gap in the digital economy and guarantee that women may profit from this important sector, the project aims to have the First Ladies support girls and women from their respective states for digital training.
“The Forum will oversee a capacity-building programme centred on drug misuse prevention and mitigation in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“The purpose of these initiatives is to provide the First Ladies with the necessary knowledge and abilities to effectively engage and advocate for these important social issues in their respective states, thereby promoting change.”
