By Alaba Olusola Oke
Stakeholders on Tuesday proffered solutions to gender-based violence in Ondo State, calling for decisive actions to curb the crime.
Speaking after an awareness walk on gender-based violence, Mrs Seun Aiyedatiwa, the wife of the state governor, said there was need for to actions to end violence against women and girls.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa, who asked GBV victims and their relatives to call toll free numbers: 08001001010, enjoined members of public to speak out against all forms of violence against women and girls.
She commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for sponsoring the programme, saying that there were many organisations and partners collaborating with the government to tackle the menace.
According to her, all cases of violence should be reported to relevant agencies and nobody should take laws to their hands.
The awareness, called 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Celebration in Ondo State, is tagged: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, said that the gathering was to gather strategic stakeholders that could guarantee positive change in fight against gender based violence in the state.
Osamaye said that it was a time for women and other critical stakeholders to rise up and speak against violence on women and girls in the society.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, thanked the state government for organising the programme meant to sensitise stakeholders.
Lawal said members of public must not shield offenders of gender-based violence towards addressing the menace.
He urged populace to always inform the police when there is gender based violence.
Also speaking, the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, said that the Corps frowned at gender-based violence.
Ibiloye said that that the security agencies would always collaborate with others to keep sensitising the populace until gender based violence is dealt with.
Also, Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye, the state Chairperson of Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said that women must rise up and defend one another, stating that “we must stand up and say enough is enough.”
She thanked the governor’s wife and the Commissioner for Women for the programme.
“When you see something that is not good, say it out. Teach our children on what to watch on the social media.
“We are there working with others to stop gender based violence in the state,” she said.
Earlier, there was awareness walk from Cathedral to Deji Palace in Akure.
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