Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has asserted that unimpeded access to quality education and healthcare serves as a potent remedy to eradicate violence against women in society. In a statement released on Saturday to commemorate the Global International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women, Obi emphasized the crucial role education and healthcare play in fostering a violence-free environment.
Through a series of tweets on his official handle, @X, Obi expressed, “The surest way to eliminate violence against women is to grant them unhindered access to good education and the provision of good health care for them.”
As the international community observes the day dedicated to eradicating violence against women, Obi joins others advocating for peace to condemn all forms of gender-based violence, particularly those targeted at women in the nation.
Referring to data from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, Obi highlighted the alarming prevalence of violence against women in Nigeria. The NDHS 2013 reported that one in three Nigerian women had experienced physical violence by age 15, while a 2019 survey revealed that 30 percent of women aged 15–49 had encountered physical violence, and 68 percent faced emotional, economic, or sexual abuse.
Recognizing the political significance of women, Obi stressed, “Women are critical players in our politics. They contribute significantly to the voting numbers but are often hampered by violence, which can only be eliminated by playing by the rules of the law guiding the game.” He called for an end to the disturbing trend of violence, urging society to uphold the principles that protect women and their rights.
