The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that education plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors from an early age.
Therefore, early education should be treated with utmost importance, particularly in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Speaking on the role of education in combating child and youth violence in Africa, the First Lady, who joined other African First Ladies under the auspices of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Angola to launch the #WeAreEqual campaign, noted that education remains a critical component of any progressive society.
She called for the inclusion of activities that dismantle notions of gender-specific roles in teaching.
“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 behavior,” she said.
“We are not unmindful of the girls and women who have been victims and survivors. I chose education to drive the #WeAreEqual Campaign and specifically adopted the Alternative High School for Girls as the focus.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu decried the spate of gender and domestic violence, especially the incidences of rape and defilement, stating that an educated and well-informed populace of both genders would abstain from such behaviors.
“Education is not simply about acquiring knowledge and skills; it is about instilling values of respect, empathy, and understanding. The journey 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 generations yet unborn.”
In his address to declare the conference open, the President of the Republic of Angola, Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, urged the First Ladies to lend their voices to quell 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 toward eliminating the belief in the supremacy of men over women.”
He commended OAFLAD for its efforts in giving women an audible voice in building a society where men and women have equal rights and opportunities.
Angolan First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço promised to sustain the fight against rape and to enhance legislation to punish perpetrators appropriately.
The launch of the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Angola, with its theme “The Role of Education in Achieving Gender Equality as a Means to Combat Child and Youth Violence,” had in attendance the First Ladies of São Tomé, 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.
