Speaker Abbas Leads House in Walk Against Gender Violence

In a display of commitment to ending gender-based violence (GBV), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., led a march on Monday to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The event marked a significant moment in the ongoing global campaign against gender-based violence.

The Speaker was joined by key figures including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Majority Leader Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. Together with several other members of the House and senior aides, they participated in the walk, which highlighted the urgency of addressing violence against women and girls.

Other notable participants in the advocacy included the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; and the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel.

This year’s walk was part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. The theme for this year’s campaign, ‘No Excuse for Violence,’ underscores the need for immediate action and accountability.

The march began at the National Assembly Complex and proceeded to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, where the House presented a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. The petition demanded swift and thorough investigation into cases of violence against women and girls, and the prosecution of perpetrators.

At the National Assembly, midway through the march, Speaker Abbas addressed the crowd, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

“Today is historic,” he declared, noting that the National Assembly had chosen to become an active partner in the fight against gender-based violence. He referred to a recent UN report that revealed a woman is killed every 10 minutes globally, calling this trend “unacceptable and unforgivable.”

Speaker Abbas affirmed the House’s commitment to reducing, if not eliminating, violence against women and girls. He also announced that the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, would actively contribute to the upcoming national action plan against violence, ensuring that legislation supporting the protection of women and girls would be prioritized.

“We will work with law enforcement and other relevant authorities to curb this dangerous trend,” he added. “The House will play an active role in crafting pro-poor policies to reduce violence in our society.”

The march culminated in a formal presentation of the petition at the Force Headquarters, where Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the Committee on Women Affairs, presented the House’s request for thorough investigations into all gender-based violence cases.

The advocacy walk marked the beginning of 16 days of activism, during which the House will remain actively engaged in efforts to combat gender-based violence, with additional activities planned over the coming weeks.