The global campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence received a heartfelt boost in Enugu State as the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, issued an emotionally stirring message urging collective action to protect women and girls—especially the most vulnerable.
The message, released on Friday, November 28, 2025, resonated across communities as the First Lady used her social platform to spotlight the silent suffering of countless women who endure abuse in their homes, workplaces, and digital spaces. Her message captured the spirit of the global movement while amplifying her well-known compassion for the oppressed, the wounded, and persons living with disabilities.
Mrs. Mbah’s statement read:
“Violence against women and girls remains one of the most enduring human rights violations of our time. Every day, women and girls face harassment, abuse, and fear, at home, in the community, and in the digital world.”
Her words carried the weight of truth and the warmth of empathy, coming at a time when gender-based violence continues to test the resilience of families and communities across Nigeria. As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism, her intervention has become both a rallying call and a moral reminder that silence enables abuse while compassion inspires healing.
In line with the year’s theme, the Enugu First Lady urged society to break the cycle of normalised violence by speaking up for those who cannot speak and by creating safe spaces for survivors to find support. She emphasized that the fight against gender-based violence requires more than slogans; it demands everyday actions rooted in empathy, justice, and community responsibility.
Her Excellency has long been admired for her gentle yet firm advocacy for vulnerable groups. Beyond her words, she has overseen programmes that have provided support, empowerment, and therapy for women and girls who have suffered abuse. Her commitment is particularly evident in her work with persons living with disabilities, many of whom face deeper layers of vulnerability during violent encounters.
Stakeholders across Enugu—including women’s rights advocates, civil society groups, disability organisations, and community leaders—praised her leadership, describing her message as a moral compass for the ongoing campaign. They note that the First Lady’s voice, grounded in compassion, amplifies the broader fight to build a society where no woman is reduced by fear and no girl grows up believing that violence is part of her destiny.
As activities continue across the state in honour of the 16 Days of Activism, Mrs. Mbah’s message stands as a beacon of empathy and resolve. It reinforces a shared belief that a safer future is possible when communities unite to break cycles of abuse and when leaders place humanity at the centre of governance.
Her call, touched with motherly warmth and moral clarity, invites Enugu and the world to imagine a future where kindness triumphs over cruelty, where every woman walks freely, and where every girl grows boldly into her dreams.
