Ogun to curb rape, GBV with implementation of national gender policy

Apparently disturbed by the cases of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) in the State, the Ogun State Government is set to implement the National Gender Policy as part of effort to curb gender-based violence (GBV), rape and other violent acts against girl-child and women, next year.

Adijat Adeleye, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, gave the hint during a chat with newsmen in Abeokuta, over the just concluded 16-day activism against GBV, as well as activities of the Ministry in the coming year, saying the policy would address in the socio-economic inequalities and checkmate all forms of GBV.

Adeleye pointed out that the policy, aimed at not only protecting women’s rights and mitigating sexual and gender-based violence through appropriate Acts of Parliament and related services, but also at bridging gender-social inclusion gaps and achieve parity in all spheres of life, promising that the state would not relent at ensuring social and economic wellbeing of its citizens.

She added that Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Administration is poised to eradicating the menace via creation of special courts, to ensure speedy trials of cases, assuring that victims would get justice without delay, while perpetrators face the wrath of the law.

The commissioner, who said the State is working on creating dedicated safe spaces for GBV victims, noted that efforts were in top gear in ensuring that they are well empowered with skills to ensure financial stability, calling on well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to support government in making life easier for them.

“The governor has directed the commissioner for Housing and the secretary to the State Government to find a suitable place to building shelters for victims. We are also renovating and expanding our empowerment centres, where victims and others can get trained on skills to make them financially independent because we noticed that this is one of the reasons people go back to their abusers”, she said.

While stating that there were about 200 cases recorded so far, Adeleye revealed that the state was working on increasing the number of assault referral centres, especially for those in the rural areas, noting that the government would not relent in ensuring that all pending cases were duly prosecuted.

Also, Seyi Sokoya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, who emphasised that GBV is a criminal offence, warned that the era of threats and coercion of victims by their families was over, adding that people should desist from shielding perpetrators and allow the law to take it due course.