International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women: Oluremi Tinubu joins campaign against gender-based violence,urges urgent action to combat menace

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has joined 16 days campaign against gender-based violence under the global observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

She therefore, urged urgent action to combat gender-based violence.

The message she shared on Monday on X, marked the beginning of the annual 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

“Nearly one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime,” she said.

In the statement, the First Lady who described collective action as crucial, also stressed the importance of timely prosecution of perpetrators, increased support for survivors and creating safer environments.

“We must take collective action across all sectors of society,” she urged.

While highlighting the alarming scale of the issue, Mrs Tinubu mentioned the incessant harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation in Nigeria which are often justified by cultural or religious norms.

She expressed worries that many women and girls, particularly in rural and underserved communities, had continued to fall victims of violence and inequality.

“Many women and girls remain trapped in these cycles of violence and inequality,” she said, urging society to take decisive action.

“Formal education for the girl child remains the key to liberating them and helping them make informed choices,” she stated.

She advocated initiatives that could enhance access to education for girls across the country.

Recall that 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 mobilise global efforts to combat it.

The date was chosen in honour of the Mirabal sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally assassinated 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 culminates on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

She cited education as a vital tool in breaking the cycles.

The First Lady also called on all Nigerians to challenge harmful behaviours 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.