As women across Anambra State and the South-East begin this year’s annual August Meeting, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged them to use the gathering to address pressing social issues, particularly the rising cases of violent abuse and maltreatment of domestic workers.
Soludo called on women to use the platform to confront what she described as the disturbing increase in cases of violent abuse, molestation, neglect and inhumane treatment of domestic workers, insisting that the silence surrounding such acts must end.
She made the appeal in a message issued on Friday to mark the commencement of the 2026 August Meeting, stressing that women should identify and address emerging social and moral challenges affecting families and society.
She urged participants to expand discussions beyond the traditional focus on community development projects and social activities to include practical and lasting solutions to the growing social and moral crises threatening family values and child development.
She said, “The recent reports of lethal physical assault, starvation, torture, emotional abuse and other degrading treatment meted out to housemaids, many of them minors, should trouble every conscientious mother.
“While the August Meeting has, over the years, remained a powerful platform for advancing community development, promoting peace, strengthening families and preserving cherished religious and cultural values, it must also evolve to respond to pressing social realities, especially those within the domain of family and child raising.”
She noted that no society could genuinely claim to uphold the sanctity of motherhood while ignoring the suffering of vulnerable children entrusted to families for guidance, protection and care.
“The young girl who helps in your home is somebody’s daughter before she becomes your maid. She deserves dignity before duty, compassion before correction and protection before punishment.
“Violence can never be a tool for raising a child or managing a household. As mothers, we have a sacred responsibility to nurture, not to destroy; to protect, not to oppress.
“Every child under our roof deserves love, respect and the opportunity to grow in a safe environment,” she added.
The Anambra First Lady encouraged women leaders, presidents-general of women’s associations, faith-based organisations and community stakeholders to include discussions on child protection, responsible caregiving, conflict resolution and the rights of domestic workers in their August Meeting deliberations.
She also stressed that communities should not merely condemn abuse after it occurs but should build systems that encourage early intervention, reporting and support for victims.
“Children often learn by observation. Homes where violence is normalised risk raising another generation that sees cruelty as acceptable.
“We urge women to deliberately instil empathy, patience and respect for human dignity in their homes. These virtues are the foundation of a peaceful and responsible society,” she said.
While wishing Anambra women fruitful and impactful August Meetings, Soludo expressed confidence that if every community resolved to protect the vulnerable, uphold family values and reject all forms of domestic violence, the annual gathering would become an even more powerful instrument for building safer homes, stronger communities and a more compassionate society.
The annual August Meeting remains one of the most significant socio-cultural gatherings of Igbo women, providing a unique forum for collective reflection, community development, family welfare and the promotion of values that strengthen society.