The First Lady of Plateau State, Her Excellency Barr. Helen Mutfwang, made a powerful call to action at the 1st Gender and Social Norms Summit, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to combat gender-based violence and harmful social norms.
The summit, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, took place at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja.
In her address, Plateau First Lady Helen Mutfwang stated, “Our attendance at the summit demonstrates our commitment to addressing gender-based violence and harmful social norms in the state. We must strengthen coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to create a safer and more equitable society for all.”
The summit saw the participation of prominent figures, including Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wives of the 36 state governors, federal ministers, development partners, and representatives from various civil society organizations, all united in their dedication to addressing these critical issues.
Key discussions at the summit highlighted the importance of a multi-sectoral approach, the need for advocacy at all levels, and the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) and forensic labs to support survivors of gender-based violence. The summit also stressed the necessity of engaging religious and traditional leaders in changing social norms.
The summit concluded with a call to action for increased funding, strengthened coordination, and the effective implementation of legal frameworks to prevent and respond to gender-based violence across the nation.
