PHOTOS: Abbas leads march against gender-based violence

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, has led his colleagues on an advocacy march against gender-based violence.

The march, which commenced from the national assembly to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters on Monday, was part of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker; Kafilat Ogbara, chair of the committee on women affairs and social development; Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, minister of women affairs and social development; and Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development; also joined the walk.

Speaking during the march, Abbas said violence against women is an “unacceptable and unforgivable trend”.

“We in the parliament must have to unite — more than ever before — with the relevant authorities, particularly the law enforcement in ensuring that we curb this dangerous trend to the barest minimum,” he said.

“I want to say it categorically clear that the national assembly will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated in the very near future.

“I also want to announce that the national assembly, particularly the house of representatives, will play an active role in the next national action plan against violence against women, which will be coming up very soon.

“We will send our representatives. We will also participate actively in ensuring that pro-poor policies are enacted to significantly reduce the incidences of violence of all kinds against women, against children, against girls.”

See photos below.