Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called on young women to reject cultural conditioning that teaches them to accept shame and silence instead of speaking up for themselves and confronting injustice.

Speaking at a mentorship and interactive session held in Abuja on Sunday to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Kogi Central senator said society must unlearn norms that condition women to bear blame and suppress their voices.

“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.”

Decrying the deeply rooted expectations that restrict women’s ambitions, Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized the need for courage and self-expression.

“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, breaking barriers and climbing higher mountains,” she asserted.

The event, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” and titled “An Evening with Senator Natasha,” brought together over 50 young women from across Nigeria for an evening of dialogue, reflection, and empowerment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said her mission extends beyond politics, adding that she would only feel fulfilled when her efforts lead to tangible change in underprivileged communities.

Among the speakers was Yakubu Oyiza Hope, an anti-human trafficking advocate who shared her personal story of abduction and survival, inspiring participants to pursue resilience and advocacy.

Attendees described the session as “eye-opening and transformative” and urged the senator to create a structured mentorship programme to sustain its impact.

The session ended with renewed calls for women to embrace self-discovery, bravery, and leadership, while challenging societal limitations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public reappearance comes shortly after her return to the Senate on October 7, following a six-month suspension that stirred national debate on gender equality, institutional authority, and due process.

Her suspension—imposed on March 6, 2025 after she protested the removal of her seat nameplate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio—was later declared unconstitutional by a federal high court. The Senate initially resisted the ruling but eventually reinstated her in late September.

Upon resumption of plenary after a ten-week recess, Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to the Senate chamber accompanied by supporters and colleagues, officially reclaiming her seat and legislative duties.