Nkechinyere Ewa
As part of activities marking the New Year, an aide to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Miss Maryann Nkwegu, has intensified advocacy on gender-based awareness, calling for collective action to curb gender-based violence and discrimination in society.
Nkwegu made the call during a New Year awareness engagement with stakeholders and community members at Okpoduma-Agbaja, where she stressed that ending gender-based violence requires sustained education, effective policy enforcement, and a positive change in societal attitudes.
She described gender-based violence as a major social challenge, noting that the protection of women, children, and other vulnerable groups must be treated as a shared responsibility involving government, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and civil society organisations.
According to her, the administration of Governor Nwifuru remains committed to promoting gender equality, safeguarding human dignity, and ensuring that victims of abuse have access to justice and necessary support services.
Nkwegu urged citizens to speak out against all forms of abuse and discrimination, warning that silence only emboldens perpetrators and undermines societal progress.
She further disclosed that the New Year advocacy campaign would be sustained through continuous community outreach, media engagements, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening public awareness and encouraging the reporting of gender-based abuses.
The event drew participation from youth groups, women organisations, and school children, who commended the state government for prioritising gender-based awareness and pledged their support towards building a safer and more inclusive Ebonyi State.