From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised the importance of using education to combat child and youth violence in Africa.
She stated this when she joined other African First Ladies under the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Angola to launch the #WeAre Equal campaign.
According to a statement issued by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady stressed that early education plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors from an early age.
She called for the inclusion of activities to help dismantle notions of gender-specific roles in teaching, stating:
“When gender equity becomes an integral part of our educational system, there will be a shift in societal attitudes whereby boys and men learn to respect and value women and girls as equals, reducing the likelihood of engaging in violent behaviour.”
Mrs Tinubu decried the spate of gender and domestic violence, especially incidents of rape and defilement, stating that an educated and well-informed people of both genders would abstain from such acts. She charged everyone to commit themselves to this important cause for the sake of children, youth, and future generations.
The President of the Republic of Angola, Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, urged the First Ladies to lend their voices to quell various conflicts around the world, as women and children are the worst affected.
He commended OAFLAD for its efforts in giving women an audible voice in ensuring the building of a society where men and women have equal rights and opportunities.
The launch of the #WE Are Equal Campaign for Angola, with the theme “The Role of Education in Achieving Gender Equality as a Means to Combat Child and Youth Violence,” was attended by the First Ladies of Sao Tome, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and representatives of others. The campaign is one of the efforts of OAFLAD to improve women’s equity and related issues on the continent.