Nigeria Governor’s Spouses Forum: Stakeholders Emphasize Urgent Advocacy For Adequate Prevention Of SGBV
By Oluseyi Olarinde
The alarming rate of sexual and gender based violence SGBV, in Nigeria among girls and women is becoming worrisome, to this end stakeholders have emphasized for urgent advocacy for proper and adequate prevention and reduction.
The stakeholders at a programme organized by the Nigeria Governor’s Spouses Forum, The Ford foundation and the office of the wife of the governor of Oyo state, Chief Tamunominini Makinde who is also the vice chairperson of the forum, highlighted ignorance, stigmatization and culture of silence as hindrances to total eradication of sgbv.
The Eleruwa of Eruwa ,Oba Samuel Adegbola described the increasing rate of sgbv in the grassroots level as alarming and disheartening.
Commissioner for women affairs and social inclusion,Mrs Toyin Balogun and Commissioner for Health,Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi called for a society where unity of purpose would end social vices.
They identified rape,emotional violence,child marriage and the likes as some forms of gender based violence,also noting that abuses usually led to incurable and lifelong diseases and at times death.
Former Permanent Secretary, ministry of women affairs and social inclusion ,Mrs Christiana Abioye wants women to be empowered , calling on the victims to always speak out.
The Oyo state chairman, Rapid Response Team on gender based violence ,ministry of women affairs and social inclusion,Mr Martins Williams said the team worked round the clock there by acting promptly to issues of sexual and gender based violence.
In her remark,Chief Tamunominini Makinde called on traditional rulers and local government chairmen wives to reach out to the people in their domains by enlightening them on the implications of being molested and the advantages of speaking out when abused.
Mrs Makinde who reiterated that mother’s and care givers should be attentive and sensitive to the languages of their children,thereby calling on elders to always speak openly against Sgbv and speak up for and protect survivors.
The event featured poetry renditions and playlet on sexual and gender based violence.
Traditional and religious leaders graced the occasion.
