Ambode leads all-male march against gender violence

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Thursday, led an all-male march against sexual and gender-based violence, with a call on all security agencies to investigate and bring culprits to justice

Ambode had earlier received those that participated in the match at the Lagos House, Ikeja, before leading the participants who brandished placards such as, “LAS GIDI Men say no to abuse, violence against women,” “Women are not object, respect and treat them right,” “stop rape and abuse,” among others, on another procession to the State House.

“It is time we take the ‘bull by the horns’ in tackling this menace of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in our society. Research and countless reports have indicated clearly that women are significantly more prone to being victims of these crimes. There is also an evident trend of suppressing the voice of these victims due to the fact that these acts are perpetrated largely by men.

“We should not take for granted the potential exponential effect of having emotionally and psychologically damaged women in a society, as the effect could transcend to their children who grow up in an environment, thinking this is the norm.

“While several programmes ranging from the provision of legal aid, shelter and psychological counselling services have been designed to assist these women, the state government has realized that while these are essential to eradicate sexual and gender-based violence, we must address the violent behaviour of men when it comes to rape, domestic violence and child abuse.

“Men as grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and public advocates have a pivotal role to play in condemning all forms of violence against women, girls and boys.

“We firmly believe that the way forward is to continuously engage the male folk as well as the community as a whole. Community engagement is an essential part of working to prevent and respond to all forms of Gender Based Violence.

“As men, we must stand up and speak in one voice, condemning these acts. No more would we condone or tolerate paedophiles, women beaters and rapists. It is inhumane and totally unacceptable to protect or even ignore such behaviour when we see it manifesting in our environment,” he said.