8th December, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun
The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has reiterated the commitment of the present administration towards eradicating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), while calling on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against the menace to achieve a violence-free society.
Mrs Abiodun said this at a symposium organised in commemoration of the 2023 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, admonishing all genders to speak out when they were being assaulted, so that perpetrators of the evil acts could be brought to book.
According to her, “The 16 days Activism is crucial because it shines a spotlight on the issue of violence against women, and it creates a platform for public awareness, and I am calling on all relevant stakeholders to work together to reduce the acts in the society, if not eradicated”.
In her welcome address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye said, the Ministry was making an effort to protect women and girls from all forms of violence, building their capacity so that they would not end up being a perpetrator but learn to safeguard themselves and other people in their communities against abusers, emphasising need for character modification for the girl-child.
The Commissioner said the State government would not rest on its oars in strengthening operational ties with both governmental and non-governmental agencies, with aim of educating and eradicating GBV across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State, while fostering a safer environment for women and girls.
She implored all and sundry to work together to achieve a holistic road map towards domesticating Ogun state gender policy and validation of the Costed Action Plan for the 5th implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP), in promoting gender equity and social inclusion.
In their separate remarks, the Special Advisers to the Governor on Woman Affairs, and Education, Mrs. Ayotunde Olanbiwonnini and Mrs. Ronke Soyombo respectively said it was imperative to educate and sensitise the girl-child on safety awareness and encourage victims to speak out and stop discrimination against victims of Gender-Based Violence, calling for action to end violence against women and girls worldwide.