...Deepens Grassroots Implementation of Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah’s Advocacy
Nkanu East Local Government Area has formally joined the global campaign against all forms of violence targeting women and girls as Hon. Mrs. Rita Edeh, Wife of the Executive Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, led the official flag-off of the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Council Secretariat, Amagunze.
The event brought together women groups, community leaders, students, civil society actors, and stakeholders from across the LGA in a unified stand against gender-based violence, reinforcing the message of safety, dignity, and protection for every woman and girl in the communities.
Hon. Mrs. Rita Edeh, in her address, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of abuse faced by women and girls, ranging from domestic violence and psychological assault to harmful cultural practices and digital harassment. She highlighted the need for a collective moral awakening, urging families, institutions, and traditional structures to break the silence that often surrounds abuse.
She emphasized that the 16-day campaign is not merely an event but a moral responsibility to uphold the sanctity of human life, protect vulnerable persons, and build safer homes and communities grounded in compassion and justice. Her message inspired hope among attendees, many of whom praised her for championing the cause at the grassroots level where such interventions are needed most.
Her remarks also brought renewed attention to the silent battles faced by women living with disabilities, widows, teenagers, and survivors who often endure violence masked by stigma, shame, or cultural expectations. According to her, the campaign offers a platform for survivors to be heard, supported, and empowered.
Recall that his local government flag-off aligns directly with the powerful statewide advocacy earlier championed by the Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, who, on November 28, 2025, made an emotionally charged call for society to confront the realities of violence that millions of women and girls face daily.
In that widely shared message, Her Excellency wrote:
“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 message, delivered in commemoration of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, sparked statewide conversations, mobilised institutions, and challenged community leaders to take the advocacy beyond speeches and into meaningful action.
In Activation of the First Lady’s Advocacy at the Grassroots Level, Hon. Mrs. Rita Edeh noted that the Nkanu East flag-off represents the grassroots extension and activation of Her Excellency Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah’s vision for a safer Enugu State, ensuring that the Governor’s wife’s call for protection, justice, and compassion reaches communities, villages, and families across the local government.
She reaffirmed that the campaign in Nkanu East is a continuation of the First Lady’s advocacy—now brought closer to the people, so that even the most vulnerable in remote communities feel the impact of her motherly concern and leadership.
The programme featured solidarity marches, awareness talks, testimonies, counselling engagements, and the distribution of advocacy materials aimed at educating families on how to identify, report, and prevent gender-based violence.
Stakeholders commended Mrs. Edeh for demonstrating leadership that complements the humane and transformative vision of the First Lady. They expressed optimism that with continued sensitisation and collaborative efforts, communities in Nkanu East will build stronger protective structures for women and girls.
While the 16 Days of Activism continues globally until December 10, Nkanu East has reaffirmed its commitment to a future where every woman and girl can live free from fear, free from abuse, and free from discrimination a future made possible through the combined compassion of Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, and the determined grassroots activism of Hon. Mrs. Rita Edeh.
