As the 2026 August Meeting begins across Anambra State and the South-East, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged women to use the annual gathering to confront growing social concerns, particularly the increasing abuse and mistreatment of domestic workers.
In a message released on Friday to mark the commencement of the annual event, the First Lady called on women to move beyond the traditional focus of the August Meeting by addressing emerging moral and social issues affecting families and communities.
She expressed concern over what she described as a disturbing rise in cases of violent abuse, molestation, neglect and inhumane treatment of domestic workers, stressing that such acts should no longer be ignored.
According to her, while the August Meeting has long served as a platform for community development, peacebuilding, family unity and the preservation of cultural and religious values, it should also be used to develop practical and sustainable solutions to challenges threatening family life and child development.
She said, “The recent reports of lethal physical assault, starvation, torture, emotional abuse and other degrading treatment meted out to housemaids, many of them minors, should trouble every conscientious mother.
“While the August Meeting has, over the years, remained a powerful platform for advancing community development, promoting peace, strengthening families and preserving cherished religious and cultural values, it must also evolve to respond to pressing social realities, especially those within the domain of family and child raising.”
Soludo further stated that any society that claims to value motherhood cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of vulnerable children entrusted to families for care and protection.
“The young girl who helps in your home is somebody’s daughter before she becomes your maid. She deserves dignity before duty, compassion before correction and protection before punishment.
Violence can never be a tool for raising a child or managing a household. As mothers, we have a sacred responsibility to nurture, not to destroy; to protect, not to oppress.
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“Every child under our roof deserves love, respect and the opportunity to grow in a safe environment,” she added.
She encouraged women leaders, presidents-general of women’s associations, faith-based organisations and other community stakeholders to include issues such as child protection, responsible caregiving, conflict resolution and the rights of domestic workers in their August Meeting discussions.
The First Lady also called for stronger community-based mechanisms that promote early reporting, intervention and support for victims instead of reacting only after abuse has occurred.
“Children often learn by observation. Homes where violence is normalised risk raising another generation that sees cruelty as acceptable.
“We urge women to deliberately instil empathy, patience and respect for human dignity in their homes. These virtues are the foundation of a peaceful and responsible society,” she said.
She wished women across Anambra successful and impactful August Meetings, expressing optimism that if communities commit to protecting vulnerable persons, promoting family values and rejecting every form of domestic violence, the annual gathering would become an even stronger platform for building safer homes, stronger communities and a more compassionate society.
The annual August Meeting remains one of the most important socio-cultural gatherings of Igbo women, providing a forum for community development, family welfare, collective reflection and the promotion of values that strengthen society.