The Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen has charged wives of Senators and other stakeholders to intensify advocacy on gender-based issues, stressing that women cannot be silent over the increasing violence and discrimination against women across the country.
She gave the charge in Abuja, while receiving the wives of Nigerian Senators who paid a courtesy visit and noted that, “it was imperative to make the lives of women and those of children yet unborn better”, stressing that the Senator wives have strategic roles in ensuring that this aim was achieved.
She further called of the Senator wives to be assertive in making their husbands understand better the need to change the ugly treatment of women and girls, and ensure their rights were protected.
“You are all representatives of the larger society and you can see the low percentage of women representatives, we should all join hands to help push the women agenda forward,” the Minister added.
Chairperson, steering committee of Senators Wives Association Hauwa Kabir Gaya noted that Nigeria is currently suffering from different types of vices from gender-based violence to insecurity which the association would use its influence as wives of lawmakers to encourage their husbands reconsider the 5 gender bills rejected last month.
Reporting by Azizatu Sani; editing by Muzha Kucha