The First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu says the provision of early education for children must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
She said it is imperative that Nigerians in particular and Africans in general recognise that education plays a vital role in shaping attitudes, beliefs and behaviours from an early age.
Mrs Tinubu was speaking against the background of using education to combat child and youth violence in Africa.
The First Lady joined other African First Ladies under the auspices of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, (OAFLAD) in Angola to launch the ‘#We Are Equal campaign.’
She noted that “education remains a critical component of any progressive society.”
Gender equality
President Tinubu’s Wife therefore called for the inclusion of activities to help promote gender equality.
She said; “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.
“We are not unmindful of girls and women who have been victims and survivors. I chose education to drive the #WE Are Equal Campaign and specifically adopted the Alternative High School for Girls as the focus.”
Gender Violence
Mrs Tinubu decried the spate of gender and domestic violence, especially the incidences of rape and defilement, saying an educated and well informed people of both gender would abstain from such.
“Education is not simply about acquiring knowledge and skills; it is about instilling values of respect, empathy and understanding. The drive towards this goal requires the collective efforts of everyone. Therefore, I charge us all to commit ourselves to this important cause, for the sake of our children, the youth, and for generations yet unborn,” she added.
Declaring the Conference open, the President of Angola, Manuel Lourenco urged the First Ladies to lend their voices to subdue the various conflicts around the world especially as women and children are the worst affected.
“By providing Equal opportunities for girls and women to actualize their full potentials, it will go a long way to eliminate the belief of supremacy of men above women,” he said.
President Lourenco commended OAFLAD for its efforts at giving a women an audible voice in ensuring the building of a society where men and women have equal rights and opportunities.
Fight against rape
Angolan First Lady, Ana Lourenco promised to sustain the fight against rape and see to the enhancing of legislation to punish perpetrators appropriately.
The launch of the #WE Are Equal Campaign for Angola had as its theme, “The Role of Education in Achieving Gender Equality As a Means to Combat Child and Youth Violence.”
Those in attendance were the First Ladies of Sao Tome, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique among others.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
