Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for a cultural shift that empowers young women to reject silence and shame, urging them to discover their identity and assert their worth in the face of societal pressure.
Speaking at a mentorship and interactive session in Abuja to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Kogi Central lawmaker emphasized that society must unlearn outdated norms that condition women to endure blame and suppress their voices.
“It’s important to identify the girl that I am. Many of us grow up without ever connecting with who we truly are,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “Society defines us from childhood and rarely gives us the space to think for ourselves. Before you decide what career or change to pursue, you must first know who you are.”
Decrying the long-standing expectations placed on women, she added, “Women have been raised to take the shame, wear the blame, and zip their mouths shut. But that ends with us. We must be bold, audacious, and fearless—to break barriers and climb higher mountains.”
The event, titled “An Evening with Senator Natasha” and themed after the global campaign “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” brought together over 50 young women from across Nigeria for a night of mentorship, open dialogue, and reflection.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said her mission extends beyond politics, noting that true fulfillment for her lies in transforming marginalized communities and empowering women to lead change.
Guest speaker and anti-human trafficking advocate, Yakubu Oyiza Hope, shared her inspiring story of surviving abduction and violence before becoming a voice for victims. Participants described the session as “eye-opening and transformative,” urging the senator to formalize a mentorship network to sustain the initiative.
Akpoti-Uduaghan recently returned to the Senate on October 7 after a six-month suspension following her protest over the reassignment of her seat—an episode she described as an attempt to silence her voice.
Her reinstatement followed a court ruling that declared her suspension unconstitutional, marking her return as a symbol of resilience and women’s empowerment in Nigerian politics.
