Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for a societal shift away from cultural norms that condition young women to endure shame and remain silent in the face of injustice.
Speaking in Abuja during a mentorship and interactive session marking the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Kogi Central lawmaker emphasized the need for self-awareness and courage among women and girls.
“It’s important to identify the girl that I am. Many of us, especially girls, grow up without ever taking the time to understand or connect with who we truly are,” she said.
“Society defines and shapes us from childhood, and we’re rarely given the chance to think for ourselves. Before you figure out your career, your drive, or the change you want to make, you must first know who you are.”
Addressing the deep-rooted cultural expectations that limit women’s potential, Akpoti-Uduaghan lamented that many women have been taught to “take the shame, wear the blame, and zip their mouths shut.”
“But that ends with us,” she declared. “We must find the courage to be bold, audacious, and fearless—to break barriers and climb higher mountains.”
The event, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” and tagged “An Evening with Senator Natasha,” gathered over 50 young women from across Nigeria for an evening of open dialogue, reflection, and empowerment.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that her mission extends beyond politics, expressing her desire to bring tangible transformation to communities long deprived of opportunities.
Among the guest speakers was Yakubu Oyiza Hope, an anti-human trafficking advocate who recounted her personal journey of survival through abduction, banditry, and violence before becoming a voice for victims.
Participants described the session as “eye-opening and transformative,” urging the senator to establish a formal mentorship programme to continue the movement’s impact.
The event concluded with a renewed call for women and girls to embrace self-discovery, courage, and leadership in challenging harmful societal norms.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s remarks come shortly after her return to the Senate on October 7, following a six-month suspension that sparked widespread debate about gender rights, due process, and institutional authority.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, imposed on March 6, 2025, followed a protest over the reassignment of her seat in the chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she described as an attempt to “silence” her. During that period, her salary, security, and office privileges were withdrawn.
After a Federal High Court ruled the suspension unconstitutional, the Senate eventually reinstated her, and she resumed plenary duties after the chamber’s 10-week recess, returning to her seat with the support of colleagues and well-wishers.
