Oyo Government vows to eliminate violence against Women, Girl-child

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde  says his government is poised to eliminate all forms of violence against women and the girl-child and ensure the safety of lives.

The Governor said that the State would take quick steps to actualise its plans.

He was Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the National Human Rights Commission, Oyo State Office, held in Ibadan.

Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, equally commended the Human Rights community for submitting a communique on the elimination of violence against women and the girl-child.

At the meeting, a communique of the outcome of a 16-day activity by the body to promote the elimination of all forms of violence against women and the girl-child was submitted to the Governor.

According to the communique, the 16-day activity was conducted by the Human Rights body in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, as well as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Oyo State.

Governor Makinde said his administration would always be responsive in the aspect of defending the rights of its indigenes and residents.

“We are happy to work with everyone who wants to make our State what it ought to be. We understand what it is, and we want to move to the ideal. We want to do what is right and that is where each and everyone’s rights will be guaranteed and protected. We want everyone of us to be able to articulate, define, identify their rights and be able to cry out for help when their rights are being violated,” he stated.

Gender-based violence
The Governor said that the State government was already paying particular attention to the issue of gender-based violence, especially against women, stressing that the State House of Assembly was on the verge of passing some legislation on the matter.

He stated, “This is an area that is forever evolving and growing, and this administration is taking particular attention on the issue of violence against women. Having said that, we have to have engagements in the areas of human rights, which is also forward-looking, because the issue of human rights is not restricted to gender.”

The acting Coordinator, Oyo State National Human Rights Commission, Akintayo Olamide, told the Governor that the body marks the International Human Rights Day between November 25 and December 10 every year, noting that the theme for this year is: “Eliminate all forms of violence against women.”

She urged the State government to set up a ‘One-Stop Centre’ for victims, which would include shelters, medical services and trauma and counselling units, that would be equipped with trained personnel, legal assistants and security and also do all it could to eliminate gender-based violence and abuse against women.

Mercy Chukwudiebere