Lifestyle

Stronger laws needed to tackle gender-based violence – Mrs. Abiodun

By Web News 854

The Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, has been urged to enact a law that will put a stop to all forms of gender-based violence among the people.

The appeal was made by a group of people involved in activism against gender-based violence in the state, led by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako- Oyedele during an advocacy visit to the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta.

The group noted that the visit as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence was to advocate for a law to prohibit the violence, including battering, bullying and other harmful acts against children, women and men.

They requested that relevant amendments should be effected on relevant laws in the state to reflect the current realities in the society and help to curb all forms of gender-based violence.

Responding, the speaker, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo promised that the 9th Assembly would assist in reviewing the relevant laws to checkmate human rights abuse for the promotion of peaceful coexistence and the elimination of any forms of gender-based violence in society.

While commending the stakeholders for choosing gender-based violence as the focus, the speaker advised them to sponsor a bill to tackle such abuses being faced by women and men daily, adding that all efforts must be geared towards stamping it out of society.

Others on the entourage of the wife of the governor included the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape and a former Speaker, Mrs Titilayo Oseni-Gomez.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Lifestyle

Ogun Governor’s Wife Enlists Support for Rape Victims

By Web News 679

Wife of the Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has identified the establishment of referral centres for victims of rape and gender violence as an effective way to improve the society’s response and care for the victims. 

Mrs. Abiodun made the submission while presiding over the inaugural virtual meeting of the Association of Spouses of Ogun State Government Functionaries on addressing poor compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines and incessant cases of rape among the people. 

The Governor’s wife said efforts were being made to create referral centres in the three Senatorial Districts of the state and to train the wives of local government chairmen on how to respond to cases of sexual and gender based violence in their communities.

The Governor’s wife described the high rate of sexual assault and gender based violence as an emergency that needed the urgent attention of everyone. 

She urged the members to invest more resources in promoting the welfare of women and children as well as the care of the physically challenged and aged members of the society.

Mrs Abiodun also encouraged the spouses to of government functionaries to enlighten residents on wearing of face masks, especially in high density areas like markets and educate them on the need to follow necessary guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus.

According to the press officer of the governor’s wife, Mrs Kemi Oyeleye participants in the virtual meeting pledged their commitment to the tasks and initiated moves towards the actualization of the projects.

Oluremi Olugbenro