Wives of governors across the 36 states in the country have vowed to sustain the fight against sexual and gender-based violence even as they committed to sustained advocacy for HPV vaccine uptake to protect the girls’ health.
This was contained in a communique issued in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital at the end of their 2024 retreat on Thursday evening read by Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Chairperson of Nigeria Governors Wives Forum.
The First Ladies, however, collectively endorsed the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, Gavi Initiative.
“It was a testament to the commitment of these remarkable women to unity, collaboration, progress and development in the service of their states and the nation as a whole. At the end of the meeting the following resolutions were made.
“The forum affirms yet again its unwavering resolve to keep up the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their various states.
“The First Ladies have collectively endorsed the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, Gavi Initiative, committing to sustained advocacy for HPV vaccine uptake to protect our girls health.
“The next line of action is a selective sensitization of wives of local government chairman on HPV vaccine and cancer awareness.
“The First Ladies have pledged to vigorously advocate for adopting six months of paid maternity leave, engaging executive governors and state legislators to promote this policy across all states for improved maternity and child welfare”, the communique stated.
Recall that Ebonyi State First Lady Mrs Mary-Maudaline Nwifuru has maintained that protecting the girl child and women of the State from any form violence remains her priority. She then implored women to value themselves in the society by making something out of themselves.
She, then urged the people to report any form of Gender- Based Violence (GBV) against the girl child, women and children to her office for immediate action.
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