"Awareness of ending gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and other harmful practices against women must be an everyday priority—at work, in churches, schools, and homes." This was part of my message on December 12th, 2024, during the one-day workshop training for police, judiciary, and other personnel on responding to survivors of gender-based violence in Owerri, where I was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu, UNJP.

I urged participants to learn how to respond to survivors without causing further harm and to understand the referral pathway for addressing gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and other abuses. It is crucial to know whom to refer survivors to without placing them in greater danger. I also encouraged the police to utilize the VAPP (Violence Against Persons Prohibition) law to charge perpetrators of violence against women, ensuring swift and effective justice.

#chiomauzodimma

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