2nd December, 2022
By Bolanle Lawal
Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the Ekiti governor’s wife says the state will establish and equip gender courts as one method of ending gender-based violence (GBV).
She stated this in an interactive session with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, as part of activities marking the year 2022 edition of the 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children.
Describing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a hydra-headed problem, Olayemi said that GBV required a multidimensional solution that would involve a multi-sectoral approach.
According to her, the government would look inwards into the already existing structures to resolve new challenges.
“We will ensure that we gazette all our public policy laws and also review some of our laws to include whistleblowers and sexual violence crime protection, and mandatory reporting, among others.”
Dr Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the state governor, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, for creating an enabling environment and support in ensuring that the global event is observed in Ekiti state.
“He has shown himself not only as a leader but also as a person who has a passion for the development of women in Ekiti state as we commemorate the 16 days of activism.”
As part of the programmes to mark the global event, she said that stakeholders, including the MDAs, civil society organisations, and the gender and vulnerable person’s unit of her office have planned a lot of activities.
“Some of the activities include, but are not limited to, sensitisation of key and relevant stakeholders on GBV, media engagement; awareness creation across the state and community dialogue sessions.
However, she reiterated her determination to work in the footsteps of her predecessor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, who she said, left beautiful legacies in her determination to end violence against women.