The wife of Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has urged women in the state to say no to child abuse, rape and any form of abuse. She made this known in the just concluded Lagos Women Forum held at the Police College Ground, GRA Ikeja.
The programme which was organised her office had the theme“women… Your Health…Your social Environment” and according to the Lagos State first lady is timely and in response to the need of the realm. She emphasized that women must use their strategic position as builders of the home-front to adequately fortify their children and wards with right virtues to stem the tide of rape and teenage pregnancy in the society.
“We as women have a great role to play in combating the social evils of rape and teenage pregnancy. Our natural role as mothers and coordinators of the family unit, imposes responsibilities on us, to bring up the boy and the girl child in the most decent way, to stem the tide of rape and teenage pregnancy in our society”, she explained.
She said young girls who suffer abuse and become pregnant stand the risk of medical complications, stressing however that conscious effort must be made in their upbringing to achieve the desired results including early enrolment in school, sound moral lessons and exposure to the ways and things of God.
Besides, Mrs Ambode expressed concern over the disturbing trend of domestic violence against women which sometimes result in deaths, saying it was time for women to come together and jointly speak out against the menace.
“By publicly speaking out against domestic violence, together we can challenge attitudes that breed violence in the homes and everywhere. We must insist that domestic violence is a social crimes and not acceptable in our society” she concludes.
The programme had in attendance top women government officials like the Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Vice chairman, Ikorodu local government, Princess Folashade Olabaji-Oba and associations like the Lashe women of excellence in the state.