Imo Govt Strengthens Fight Against Gender-Based Violence as First Lady, Chioma Uzodimma Rallies Stakeholders

The First Lady of Imo State, Barrister Chioma Uzodimma, has intensified the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by convening a town hall and community advocacy meeting aimed at mobilising key stakeholders to tackle the menace across the state.

The event, held on Thursday, July 2, in Owerri, was organised by the Good Hope Women Flourish Initiative (GHWFI) in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum and the Ford Foundation.

It attracted traditional and religious leaders, wives of local government chairmen, security agencies, civil society organisations, community leaders and media practitioners to deliberate on practical strategies for ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Addressing participants, Barrister Uzodimma described the gathering as “a call to leadership and collective responsibility,” stressing that harmful practices such as SGBV persist because they have been tolerated and normalised over generations.

She urged stakeholders to become agents of change within their communities, noting that lasting transformation begins when influential voices speak out against violence.

“Social norms can change when trusted voices speak differently, consistently, and courageously. Every one of you gathered here represents such a trusted voice,” she said.

The First Lady specifically challenged the wives of local government chairmen to leverage their positions at the grassroots to drive advocacy, prevent SGBV, promote justice for survivors and encourage timely intervention.

She further emphasised that sustainable change must begin in homes, places of worship, traditional institutions and local communities, calling on traditional rulers and religious leaders to use their influence to reshape societal attitudes.

According to her, faith and tradition should be instruments for promoting compassion, justice and peace rather than providing excuses for harmful practices.

“Sexual and Gender-Based Violence thrives where silence is mistaken for culture and where harm is excused as tradition. This gathering is not about blame; it is about shared responsibility and our collective commitment to building safer communities,” she stated.

Barrister Uzodimma encouraged participants to embrace their roles as Community Gender-Based Violence Champions by speaking openly against violence, supporting lawful intervention, protecting survivors and promoting values of dignity, respect and safety within families and communities.

The programme featured expert presentations highlighting the health, legal and social consequences of SGBV, including sexual, physical, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, as well as harmful traditional practices. Resource persons called for stronger collaboration to protect survivors, uphold human dignity and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

Speaking at the event, the Imo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, represented by Rev. Fr. Charles Iroegbu, commended the organisers for confronting what he described as a devastating social challenge.
He noted that gender-based violence undermines human dignity and national development, while reaffirming the Church’s commitment to promoting a violence-free society.

Also speaking, Eze Clinton Uboegbulam-Nze, Chairperson of the Imo State LGA Chairmen’s Wives Association, Mrs. Uloma Adikibe, and the Chairperson of Traditional Rulers’ Wives, Ugoeze Tina Okeke, condemned all forms of gender-based violence. They applauded Barrister Chioma Uzodimma and her partners for championing behavioural change and pledged to strengthen grassroots sensitisation across the state.

Among the dignitaries present were the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe; the member representing Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwa; members of the State House of Assembly; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ruby Emele; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Lady Nkechi Ugwu; and other government officials.

The meeting concluded with stakeholders taking a commitment pledge to raise awareness within families, communities, institutions and places of worship, while promoting attitudes and behaviours that reject all forms of violence, abuse and harmful traditional practices across Imo State.