Oyo Moves To End Gender Based Violence, Inaugurates Two Committees

By Ayodele Oni

As part of moves to eradicate Gender-based Violence, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a Steering Committee and Technical Working Committee on Gender-Based Violence, (GBV) in the state.

The Committees were inaugurated on Wednesday during the commemoration of the International Day of Zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation in Ibadan.

Inaugurating the committees, Governor Makinde, represented by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, stated that the bodies are saddled with the mandate of developing and implementing programmes and policies for the prevention of gender-based violence in Oyo state.

The Head of Service charged them on “the rehabilitation of persons who still fall victim of gender-based violence despite all the preventive measures.”

She said Gender Based Violence is a critical issue that affects individuals and communities across the globe, adding that this problem transcends borders, cultures and socioeconomic status, negatively impacting the lives of countless individuals over the years.

Mrs. Oni called for an all-inclusive and sustained crusade to stem the tide of domestic violence, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, public harassment, among other forms of violence against women in the society.

She stressed the need to recognise collective responsibilities in sustainable management of GBV requiring comprehensive approach policies, support for survivors and global initiatives.

The Head of Service said “this violent behaviour has eaten deep into the fabric of the society, adding that it cuts across most human societies, irrespective of gender.”

In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun stated that it is imperative to put in place State Steering and Technical Working committees that will work in collaboration with Ministry of Women Affairs to put an end to GBV and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is a significant aspect of GBV.

Mrs. Balogun pointed out that “the committees must work very hard in order to end gender-based violence in Oyo state, pursuant to the operational policy thrust of the Ministry, and the strategy of the United Nations Children’s Fund.”

The committees’ terms of reference are also to “conduct public awareness campaigns on reporting cases of gender-based violence; provide for the rehabilitation and promotion of the welfare of victims, and develop a gender-based violence prevention sustainable plan for the state among other terms.