In the United States, we celebrate Mother’s Day today. But this year, my thoughts are with more than 276 girls kidnapped from the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School in Nigeria, and their mothers.
The plight of these girls is horrific, and we stand with the rest of the world in calling for their immediate and safe return to their families. Vital Voices has worked with women leading change in Nigeria since 1998. At times like these, those on the front lines of progress need our help and support more than ever – that’s why the solidarity and collective power of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network is so important.
We stand with women like Hafsat Abiola-Costello and Amy Oyekunle of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); Professor Hawa Biu working on the ground in Borno; Chigoziri Ojiaka and the women lawyers of FIDA Nigeria; and many others working at all levels throughout the country, not only to protect women and girls, but to change the overall political and economic environment that leads to insecurity and instability.
Now we must focus on urgently needed support while not losing sight of the systemic issues that allow senseless violence to flourish, and on the sustainable change needed to ensure a violence-free future.
We hope you will join us in supporting the remarkable women leaders who are working to transform their country into a place where women and girls are safe and free to pursue an education and a better future. Please add your vital voice to those calling for Nigeria’s leaders to make the girls’ return – and the nation’s security – their top priority. And, on Mother’s Day, please honor your mother by supporting the mothers whose young daughters are missing – and give them hope for a peaceful resolution. Thank you.