Women must take practical steps against domestic violence to end menace – Queen Ruqayyah

Winner of the Most Gorgeous Girl in Nigeria, Queen Ruqayyah Adeboye, has advised women to take both practical and legal actions against men who perpetrate sexual and gender-based violence against them.

According to her, this is the only way to reduce domestic violence and have a society with respect for women’s rights.

She stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

She urged young girls to purchase pepper spray, as a precautionary measure against being raped by randy men.

While imploring girls to know how and when to seek legal redress if molested, she said: “Being an advocate against gender-based violence, I understand that a lot of men and women face this problem, especially women.

“We have been sensitizing women on different forms of domestic violence. Last year, we had a programme relating to that. We taught young girls how to defend themselves.

“We taught them how to make and use pepper spray. Some of them go out to read at night without knowing what will happen. So, we made them to understand that having pepper spray is a step towards protecting themselves.

“We taught them how to use it wisely and responsibly. They were also taught on how to seek legal redress,” she said

Queen Ruqayyah said she will focus her attention on initiating life-changing projects to benefit thousands of poor and vulnerable people in the country

She promised to use her platform to reinforce her course for quality education, sanitation and clean water and decent work growth as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, she would not toe the part of beauty queens who only visit orphanage homes to distribute food items, but she would introduce life-changing projects to benefit thousands of Nigerians, especially in the North.

She said: “As the most gorgeous girl in Nigeria, I am passionate about executing projects that would touch the lives of others especially those at the grassroots level.

“It is not all about going to orphanage homes. Most beauty queens are known for reaching out to orphanages to share food items and that is it which does not have a long time impact.

“What I look at is how to impact the lives of individuals. My passion is to execute projects that are sustainable. I am also an advocate for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“So, my project is focusing on SDGs 4 which is education, SDGs 5 which is gender equality, SDGs 6.2 which is sanitation and clean water and SDGs 8 which is decent work and economic growth.

“We have been executing projects relating to SDGs 6 and 8 so far in Borno State. We have empowered young minds. We taught them how to make liquid soap and vaseline.

“We have Almajarai a lot and you see them coming with dry skins and smelling.

“We feel like teaching them how to make those things to help them curb whatever they are facing.

“So, it is decent work and economic growth because they cannot only use this for themselves but they will also sell it out and make a profit.

“It is a long-term plan. It is not a one-time initiative. We are also looking at a quality education. We are looking at partnering with the Kaduna and Kano States government to implement it.

“They have already sent us an email that we requested a meeting.

“We are also organising a programme in Ibadan, Oyo State during the commissioning of the national museum on August 20.

“It is about inspiring young minds and showcasing their skills and talents in different arts. We want them to start thinking innovatively.”

Ahead of the 2023 elections, she advised Nigerian youth to be mindful of the leaders they will elect, saying next year’s election is a one-time chance for youth to right the wrongs of past leaders.

According to her, the youths must not vote based on gender sentiments but vote for candidates on the basis of their ability and capacity to deliver.