The Ogun State Government in collaboration with the World Bank has organised roadshows to campaign and create awareness against sexual assault, sexual harassment and abuse, gender-based violence and other related matters.
The roadshows organized by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, started on June 4 in Abeokuta, the state capital and moved to Sagamu and Ijebu Ode.
Led by the Commissioner for Women and Affairs and Social Development and OGSTEP Project Coordinator, Hon. Adijat Adeleye and Mrs Mosunmola Owo-odusi, respectively, the roadshows ended on Wednesday with a visit to the Palace of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.
They equally took the awareness campaigns to Yewa College, Ilaro, the major motor park in the town and further sensitized the residents on the negative effects of the societal menace.
Calling for the support of traditional rulers in Yewaland in the campaigns against gender-based violence and other related matters, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adeleye, said the OGSTEP sponsored by the World Bank has been at the forefront of creating awareness and raising the consciousness of the people on all forms of gender-based violence.
Represented by Mrs EwaJesu Fasina, the Gender Specialist for OGSTEP, the Commissioner explained that Gender Unit is a subset of the four parts of OGSTEP deliberately set up to expedite the economic transformation of Ogun as well as the social well-being of both the male and female genders.
She added that the campaigns which are in conjunction with her Ministry, has also embarked on creating awareness on all forms of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and harassment, particularly against the vulnerable people.
While describing gender-based violence as a serious societal issue that cannot be overlooked, she urged the traditional rulers to lend their royal support to the state government’s concerted efforts to eradicate domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence and sexual exploitation.
Hon. Adeleye said that the theme of the campaign ‘Soro Soke! Speak up, Stay Safe’ was purposely designed to encourage victims of gender-based violence not to keep quiet, but report their predicament to the appropriate authorities.
She, however, informed the monarchs that an ultra modern Safe Centre, adequately equipped with medical facilities, a counseling unit, training unit, complaints desk, among other amenities, has been established in Ilaro.
She disclosed that similar centres have also been established in Abeokuta, Sagamu and Ijebu Ode.
According to her, the Safe Centre for the Yewa Zone located very close to the Palace of the Olu of Ilaro has been inaugurated to receive complaints of gender-based violence and care for the victims of the menace.
She emphasized the need for the people not to cover up sexual abuses and other forms of gender-based violence, rather, they should speak out and stay safe.
While thanking the traditional rulers for being custodians of traditions and culture which also kick against the social menace, the Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the state government to stamp out all forms of gender-based violence in the state.
Responding, the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukman Kuoye, who represented the Paramount Ruler during the visit, declared the total support of the Yewa traditional Council against gender-based violence.
He assured the delegation that the traditional rulers will replicate the campaigns and awareness in their respective domains.
The team later visited Yewa College, Ilaro, where students were sensitized on gender-based and sexual violence, urging them not to hesitate to report perpetrators to the appropriate authorities.
The team also took the awareness campaigns to the Ilaro motor park and embarked on a road show to further sensitize the people of the town.
