The NGSF-Ford Foundation SGBV Prevention Programme state-level capacity building, Day 2, held on 2nd July 2026 at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, under the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum with support from the Ford Foundation, brought us together with renewed commitment to preventing the harmful social norms that perpetuate sexual and gender-based violence. The session brought together a distinguished roll call of participants including members of the Imo State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, Ugoezes, wives of Local Government Chairmen, religious leaders, community and traditional stakeholders, persons with disabilities, market women groups, and youth bodies. Together, we unveiled our network of community advocates against SGBV. Violence is not our culture. Abuse is not discipline. Protecting women and girls does not weaken society; it strengthens it. We reaffirmed our continued commitment through a pledge to speak openly against violence, support lawful intervention and survivor protection, and help our communities understand that dignity, respect, and safety are values we must all defend. Technical sessions were handled by three resource persons drawn from key state ministries. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare spoke on understanding GBV, harmful social norms, and the role of women leaders as grassroots champions. The Ministry of Health addressed health, psychosocial support, survivor-centred response, and referral pathways. The Ministry of Justice spoke on legal protection, reporting, enforcement, and community support for justice. We thank the NGSF for championing this programme and the Ford Foundation for their invaluable support. Our appreciation also goes to the Imo State Government, the Imo State House of Assembly, and all stakeholders who participated and embraced the responsibility of ensuring that every woman in Imo State deserves dignity, every girl deserves protection, and every family deserves to live free from violence.
#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
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