Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo’s first lady, has called for policy formulation to end violence against women in Nigeria.

Ms Anyanwu-Akeredolu made the call at the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and news conference held in Government House, Akure.

She urged the government at all levels, especially the states, to enact laws that could help reduce the rate of women’s violations in society.

Ms Anyanwu-Akeredolu said Ondo had made a lot of efforts to wage war on violence against women and girls through the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and institutionalised an agency.

She urged women to make their voices heard and vote for women into political seats, especially in the state House of Assembly, to help make policies that would favour women’s welfare in society.

The governor’s wife, who decried the number and population of women in Houses of Assembly across the country, said that some states had only one representative, making it difficult to make policy in favour of women.

“I will not pretend that violence against women and girls will end today after wearing T-shirt and cap to mark the day, but there must be supportive action we need to be doing in combating the menace,” stated the Ondo first lady. “We have been screaming and shouting every year about the violence against women in our society, especially in Ondo state and the country at large, without getting any results.”

Ms Anyanwu-Akeredolu, therefore, charged women to support and rally round themselves.

(NAN)