Men in Ogun state have been sensitised to go all out to counsel their fellow men against gender based violence, as the state in collaboration with United Nation Population Fund  (UNFPA) marks the grand finale of the 16Days Activism on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls in the state.

The Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape made this call at the commemoration of the 16 Days Activism on elimination of gender based violence held at Women Development Centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Efuwape while reintegrating the commitment of the state  government to eliminate violence against women  said that 16 Days Activism is an annual international campaign that kicked stated on 25th of November and run till 10th December, which is an International Human Right Day, adding that the theme of this year's campaign was "Orange The World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect and End Violence Against Women and Girls".

She said " it is pertinent to note that gender based violence has escalated to an uncontrollable level since the emergency of Covid-19 pandemic. However, the state government would not relent at punishing any offender caught, as it is no longer business as usual in Ogun state "

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Oladapo Adeleye in her goodwill message said that performance is never based on gender, therefore, men should give equal rights to their children, male and female, in the area of development and education.

She equally appreciated UNFPA for their continuous support to eradicate the menace of gender based violence in the state,   saying they have been one of the strong partners of the Ministry in particular and the state in general.

The resource person, who delivered the lecture at the event, Mr. Olumide Igbodipe urged the police force to lend a helping hand to the Ministry of Women Affairs and its partners at eradicating this menace , saying full use of the Sex Offenders Register should be ensured to blacklist the perpetrators of this criminal acts.