Wife of the Kogi State governor Hajia Amina Yahaya Bello has called for an end to violence against women and children in the country.
She spoke at the Kogi State FIDA Week where she emphasizsed the importance of addressing violence against women and children, while highlighting this year’s theme, “Combating Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) -New Skills and Strategies.”
She conveyed the urgency of this issue, calling VAWC an appalling crime that knows no boundaries, transcending geographical, cultural, and socio-economic divides.
The governor’s wife described it as a global crisis that calls for global unity of action, as well as locally tailored solutions.
Hajia Bello, who acknowledged the evolving nature of the problem also stressed the need for innovative approaches to tackle the persistent challenges faced by victims and demanded that human rights bodies develop new approaches.
She pointed out the pivotal role of technology, education, and media advocacy in empowering communities and encouraging victims to come forward.
According to her, a comprehensive approach would encompass legal reforms, collaboration with law enforcement and effective support networks like FIDA to ensure that justice is served swiftly. The first lady of Kogi State who paid tribute to her husband, Governor Yahaya Bello, for his remarkable commitment to gender equity and the welfare of children noted his administration’s achievements, including surpassing the 35 percent UN Affirmative Action threshold for women appointed into government and the passage of important legislation like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill.
She thanked the New Direction Administration in Kogi State led by Governor Bello for its dedication to the protection of women and children in very practical manners through support for the work of FIDA, as well as the establishment of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Advocate, an agency set up by her husband’s administration which has been active in protecting the target group of vulnerable citizens from domestic assault, child labour and other forms of violence.