The Wife of the Kwara State Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum (NGSF), Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for a united and sustained action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). According to her, neither religion nor culture justifies abuse, oppression, or harmful practices.

AbdulRazaq, who is also the Founder of the Ajike People's Support Centre, expressed these views while addressing a high-level advocacy engagement in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. She urged communities, government agencies, and civil society groups to collaborate in promoting dignity, justice, compassion, and respect for human life.

The State First Lady explained that the engagement is aimed at strengthening advocacy and partnerships to challenge harmful social norms while ensuring structural support and safe shelters for survivors of gender-based violence.

She stated: "Gender-Based Violence is not only a violation of rights; it is a barrier to development, peace, and social cohesion. Yet, beyond physical acts of violence, we must confront the harmful social norms that enable it, norms that excuse abuse, silence survivors, normalize inequality, and teach our children that violence is acceptable or private.

"I commend the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum for its consistent leadership in championing the protection, dignity, and wellbeing of women, children, and vulnerable persons across the country. I also extend sincere gratitude to the Ford Foundation for its partnership, technical support, and commitment to social justice, equity, and community-driven change."

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Oluwakemi Afolashade, outlined the state government's interventions, which included emergency response centres, confidential reporting channels, and survivor support systems designed to guarantee safety and dignity. Mrs Afolashade stated that more than 1,000 traditional rulers across the state had been trained to enhance community-level prevention and response.

She described the engagement as a call to action, urging traditional and religious leaders to support the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and to ensure that survivors are referred to appropriate authorities without fear or stigma. The Commissioner provided the hotline numbers 09035509221 or 08069710318 to call the Ministry of Women Affairs whenever there are cases of domestic or sexual violence, abuse, or neglect amongst others.

The Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, emphasised the role of moral leadership, noting that religious and traditional leaders wield significant influence over community behaviour and must use it to protect women, children, and other vulnerable persons.

Similarly, the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, said parents and community leaders should shadow the responsibilities of taking better care of women and the girl-child.

The Commissioner for Social Development in the state, Dr NnaFatimah Imam, said that preventing gender-based violence requires community ownership, and that government efforts must be supported by families, community leaders, and faith-based institutions. Dr Imam commended faith-based organisations, including the Women's Wing of CAN and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, for their advocacy and sensitisation efforts.

In a communique signed by the traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders, and the NGSF at the end of the programme, they condemned all forms of gender-based violence, promoting protective cultural and religious teachings, amongst others. In the communique, they recognised that culture and religion are foundational pillars of protection, peace, and moral guidance, and rejected the misuse of social norms to justify violence or harm.