Ogun State Government has called on stakeholders to support its campaign and chart a way forward towards achieving a better result in reducing the incidence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi made the call at Ewusi Palace, Makun, Sagamu during a sensitisation programme organised by the Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for community gatekeepers and opinion leaders, held in commemoration of the 16days  Activism on Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls.

Ogunremi affirmed that all forms of gender inequality, domestic violence, sexual harassment, child marriage, and female genital mutilations, among others, persist in the society despite the government's actions to combat the menace, adding that strengthening access to community leaders and security agencies would deepen the fight against the act. 

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence which manifested through the inauguration of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Management Law (VAPPMC) and establishment of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Sagamu, that avails provision of medical services for anyone who had been raped or sexually assaulted. 

“I want to assure you that the Ministry will not relent on its awareness creation and conscious efforts at improving the lives of our female gender with reference to the environment, and more importantly creating an enabling avenu for more positive collaboration and partnership between the government and Non-Governmental Organisations”, she said.

Ogunremi appreciated the support of UNFPA at ensuring that the State is free from all forms of violence, particularly against women and girls, enjoining people to always make use of the Assault Referral Centre in the State.

Earlier in her address, the Director of Women Empowerment Services, Mrs. Wonuola Kassim said the essence of the 2022 16days Activism with the theme: "UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls" was to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls around the world, towards eradication of the menace and cankerworms from the society and to encourage survivors to speak and seek justice for themselves.

In her goodwill message, the Southwest Coordinator, UNFPA, Dr. Esther Somefun called on all and sundry to join hands to end GBV, saying the act must not be condoned nor encouraged as women especially should have peace as well the nation at large.

While making a pesentation, a Gender Analyst, Mrs. Jumoke Shokunbi highlighted different forms of Gender-Based Violence to include, Sexual, Physical and Psychological violence among others, saying majority of those at risk  were adolescents, infants and the elderly.

Responding, the Ewusi of Makun, Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya commended the various interventions of the government towards eliminating the menace, assuring of the community’s cooperation with the Ministry to bring perpetrators to book.