On Day One of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) and Ford Foundation Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention Programme in Imo State, I led a delegation to the Imo State Executive Chamber on 1st July 2026 for an advocacy and sensitisation initiative. The delegation, which included representatives from the NGSF, the Ford Foundation, GoodHope Women Flourish Initiative, and NOIPolls, met with my husband, the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, alongside members of the State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council. Our engagement focused on preventing harmful social norms that perpetuate SGBV. Recognising that SGBV is not merely a social issue but a significant governance challenge and silent economic drain on our State, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum declared a State of Emergency on GBV in 2020. We committed to matching that declaration with concrete implementation, strict enforcement, and sustained investment. As a primary preventive measure, we advocated for the domestication of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy in Imo State, addressing one of the most significant structural drivers of vulnerability: the economic disempowerment of women and girls. The Governor acknowledged that SGBV is a matter of concern for everyone, not just women and girls. With his commitment to public safety, he formally agreed to initiate the domestication of the WEE Policy, supported by a clear implementation pathway facilitated by the NGF–NGSF technical platform, and the prioritisation of SGBV prevention in our governance agenda, including adequate budgetary allocations for survivor protection and response mechanisms. Together, we continue to secure our State through a unified commitment to SGBV prevention, enforcement of relevant laws, strengthening of referral systems, and robust institutional support.

#ENDSGBV

#ChiomaUzodimma

Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, FIMC, CMC
First Lady of Imo State,
GoodHope Women Flourish Initiative,
Secretary, Renewed Hope Initiative and
Chairperson, First Ladies Against Cancer