Imo First Lady, Chioma Uzodimma, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, spouses of local government chairmen and other community stakeholders to take a leading role in ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), describing the fight against abuse as a shared responsibility that requires collective action across communities.
Uzodimma made the call on Thursday, July 2, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Owerri under the theme, “Empowering Grassroots Champions for Gender-Based Violence Prevention.”
The programme was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum in collaboration with the Ford Foundation and was made public through the official communication channels of the Office of the First Lady, Imo State.
Addressing participants, Uzodimma described the gathering as “more than an ordinary engagement… a call to leadership and collective responsibility,” urging community leaders to become advocates for the protection of women, girls and other vulnerable members of society.
She stressed that violence in any form should never be tolerated.
“Violence is not culture.”
” Abuse is not discipline, and protecting women and girls does not weaken society; it strengthens peace,” she said.
Uzodimma charged spouses of local government chairmen to champion awareness campaigns within their communities, encourage open conversations on gender-based violence and support survivors in seeking justice and rehabilitation.
She also appealed to traditional rulers and religious leaders to use their influence to challenge harmful social norms, defend human dignity and promote justice, peace and mutual respect.
According to her, “Every woman deserves dignity, every girl deserves protection and every family deserves to live free from violence.”
She further stated, “When leaders stand together, silence is broken; and when silence is broken, change begins.”
The programme featured presentations on gender responsibilities and gender-based violence, with participants drawn from traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, youth groups, women’s organisations, market associations and government agencies.
The sessions focused on strengthening grassroots advocacy, preventing abuse and improving support for survivors.
The stakeholders’ engagement followed an advocacy visit by the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum and the Ford Foundation to the Imo State Government on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, where discussions centred on strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and advance the welfare of women and girls across the state.
Participants at the programme pledged to deepen awareness within their communities, promote the protection of vulnerable persons and support initiatives aimed at eliminating gender-based violence through sustained collaboration and community-driven action.