I joined other First Ladies of the 36 States of the Federation, yesterday, Sunday, 14 June, in virtual meeting held via our second zoom conferencing to further deepen the ongoing conversation around rape and other forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in our society.

Indeed, rape and other forms of Sexual-Based Violence is one vicious crime that gives a momentary gratification to the perpetrators and a lasting damage on the victims of abuse. The resultant ugly impression on the victims goes on to affect their worldview.

Going forward in the meeting, we reviewed the minutes and matters arising from our last meeting. An action plan which was created based on our first meeting of the 7th of June was discussed at length and alterations made.

We talked about our consultations with the Governors to declare a State of Emergency on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the 36 States of the Federation.

I intimated the forum about the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015, in Imo State and my ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Gender and Vulnerable Group, Imo State.

Other First Ladies told us about the various sensitization and intervention programmes ongoing in their States too, from awareness marches, to events, to meetings with critical stakeholders and so on.

The conversation continues…