The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has emphasised the imperative for Nigerians in particular, and Africans in general to recognise the pivotal role of education in shaping attitudes, beliefs and behaviours from an early age.
Senator Tinubu therefore charged that early education should be treated with utmost importance.
The wife of the president stated this against the background of using education to combat child and youth violence in Africa.
Mrs. Tinubu joined other African First Ladies under the auspices of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in Angola to launch the #WeAre Equal campaign.
In a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady noted that education remains a critical component of any progressive society, thereby calling for the inclusion of activities to help 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 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”.
Senator Tinubu who decried the spate of gender and domestic violence, especially the incidences of rape and defilement said 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 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 for generations yet unborn,” Tinubu said.
In his address to declare the conference open, President of the Republic of Angola, Manuel Goncalves Lourenco urged the First Ladies to lend their voices to quell various conflicts around the world, especially as women and children are the worst affected.
“By providing Equal opportunities for girls and women to actualise their full potentials, it will go a long way to eliminate the belief of supremacy of men above women,” President Lourenco said.
He commended OAFLAD for its efforts at giving women an audible voice in ensuring the building of a society where men and women have equal rights and opportunities.
Angolan First Lady Ana Dias 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 which had as 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 Sao Tome, 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 in the continent.
