In our continuous effort to raise awareness about the persistent increase in physical and sexual abuse in our society, my office has collaborated with various Social Welfare Officers across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to educate both primary and secondary school students on Gender-Based Violence and other crimes happening around them.

We live in an era where our children are constantly being exposed to so much information and their little minds are filled with so many questions that need to be properly answered. If we fail to direct them, educate them or guide them, our society will keep seeing an increase in the rate of perpetrators.

We all have a role to play in being the voice of reason as well as bringing perpetrators of violence to justice. Our children both young or small must be taught to respect other people's rights and to report any act of violence against them and others to appropriate authorities.

I applaud the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Godson Okeoma, Barr. Mrs Calista Igwe and other Heads of departments in the Ministry for the various roles they have taken on in doing the grass-roots work of educating our children on gender violence and its repercussions.

#chiomauzodimma

H.E. Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State and Founder, GoodHope Flourish Foundation.