Triple Justice Foundation, an NGO, has advised women to gain financial independence as a tool to curb and reduce all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) to its barest minimum.

Igbodo David, the executive director of the group, made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate the ongoing 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

The 16 Days campaign against gender-based violence is celebrated globally from November 25 to December 10.

The event is to raise awareness and mobilise actions to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Mr Igbodo emphasised that financial independence remained a vital tool in the fight against GBV.

“In spite of awareness creation, GBV persists, and it is essential to protect women and girls from all forms of degrading treatments and abuses.”

Mr Igbodo advised women to acquire income-generating skills and be financially empowered to make positive decisions for themselves.

He urged the government, civil societies, and other stakeholders to provide skills empowerment programmes, access to startup grants, safe homes for survivors, and other necessities for the protection and empowerment of women and girls.

By providing these support systems, Mr Igbodo believed that a safe society could be created for women and girls to thrive and contribute to nation-building.

(NAN)