The Ogun State Government says it is intensifying efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.
Hon. Adijat Adeleye, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , stated this in Abeokuta on Monday at a Parliamentary Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence, Gender-Mainstreaming& Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Legislative Framework In Ogun State.
The event was organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs, the State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) in conjunction with Women Advocates Research & Documentation Center, WARDC.
Adeleye explained that the state government would work to ensure that “no child loses their innocence, no woman loses her dignity, and no family is broken by indifference”.
The commissioner reiterated that child abuse, violence and discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, PWDs were not only social issues but also an economic pandemic that threatensy the country’s developmental goals.
The former member, Ogun State House of Assembly maintained that perpetrators does not carry signs but instead, hide behind silence.
She harped on the need for all to take action in guaranteeing that every woman and child could seek justice.
She pointed out that the 45 sections of the proposed DEI Commission Bill remained instruments for transformation and protection that would guarantee the inclusion of under-represented groups in policymaking.
“ When a child is molested or a woman is silenced, a generation loses its voice. When survivors cannot access justice, we all become part of that silence.
“ The legislative tools before us including the Gender Mainstreaming Bill, the FRILIA Bill, the VAPP Law, and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission Bill are not just policies. They are tools for protection and transformation. The proposed DEI Commission Bill, with its 45 Sections, aims to establish a body that will promote fairness, equal opportunity, and social justice.
The commissioner, on the other hand, stated that the Ministry will continue to act as a bridge, working to ensure that no child loses their innocence, no woman loses her dignity, and no family is broken by indifferent behaviour.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, insisted that the bill is to protect the right and privileges of all sex, be it woman or man.
His words, “ Well, the popular acronym is GBV and it goes beyond that, It’s not only peculiar to female, we want to protect the right and privileges of all sex, be you a woman or a man.
“ We have seen occasions or cases where men were raped by women that is also gender based violence. We are looking at equal opportunities for all sex to grow economically, to achieve their aim in life, so that some will not see themselves as being ridiculed or relegated”.
In her goodwill message, the Sponsor of the bill, Deputy Speaker of the House, Ajayi Lateefat, stated that it passed the First Reading on the Floor of the House last Friday, and is proposed to monitor, remove negative stereotypes and offer guidance to institutions on how to include and treat everyone equally.
In her presentation, Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) Project Coordinator, Mosunmola Owo-Odusi called for legislative support in enacting and funding GBV, allocating funds for SARCs, women development centres, and technical school maintenance, as well as strengthening land-right protection through agency legislation and the FRILIA framework.
Meanwhile, the Founding Director of WARDC, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, noted that the event was apt and coming at a time where there is a high prevalence of gender based violence in the state.
