By Kingsley Chukwuka
Executive Director (ED), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. Barrister Vera Ndanusa, has identified a panacea to gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
The scourge of GBV, especially against the female gender, has been on the rise in the country with different tiers of government expressing grave concern at the menace.
Ndanusa advocated formal education for girls as a powerful tool for employment, which, according to her, would empower and enable them to make informed choices and break free from cycles of abuse.
To her, if women are educated, they will hardly subject themselves to wrong relationships that could lead to involvement with abusive male partners.
Ndanusa took the position today in Lagos in her message on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She called on everyone to use the event as a rallying point to challenge harmful behaviors that perpetuate violence and discrimination against women and girls.
She emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing GBV.
The Trade Fair boss highlighted the global and national prevalence of GBV malady, noting that it affects nearly one in three women worldwide and persists in various forms across Nigeria.
Ndanusa particularly drew attention to harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, noting that these are often justified by cultural or religious norms and disproportionately affect women and girls in rural and under-served communities.
To tackle the issue, she outlined the need for a multi-sectoral approach, stressing the importance of reporting and prosecuting perpetrators as well as providing increased support for survivors of violence.
Ndanusa urged Nigerians to dedicate the 16-day campaign to advancing efforts to eliminate GBV and foster a safer society where individuals, regardless of gender, can live free from fear.
She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and encouraged collective action to address the pressing issue.
“Today, I join the global community in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
“Gender-based violence remains one of the most widespread human rights violations, with nearly one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
“In Nigeria, harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation are still prevalent,often justified by cultural or religious norms,” she stated.
The event, which began on November 25, will end on December 10.
