Wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has expressed optimism that more sexual assault refers centres would be established in Ekiti State by the incoming administration.
To make Ekiti a model state for implementing a GBV law, Mrs Fayemi advocated for funding of different Ministry Department and Agency (MDA).
These were part of the recommendations at the end of the 6th edition of the Stop-VAWIP Live Radio Town Hall organised by a non Governmental organisation, Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF).
The programme also featured the Incoming First Lady -Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji on a panel discussion.
The town hall also provided the opportunity for participants to make recommendations for strategic actions in implementing the
VAPP/GBV prohibition law in Ekiti State.
The programme was with the topic “Ekiti State as a Model of VAPP/GBV Prohibition Law Implementation in Nigeria”
The governor’s wife also hinted that more gender specialists and social workers would be trained to sustaine the gains of the ongoing advocacy against all forms Violence Against Women in Politics
She urged the incoming administration of Mr. Biodun Oyebanji to include “gender updates” as part of the State Executive Council briefing. This is to ensure that GBV and other related issues are addressed at the highest level of the state.
“The Government should institutionalize the funding mechanism. Ensure the commissioner of budget and planning is a friend, advocate that the line ministries have funds for GBV and others have funding framework for economic empowerment of women.
“Reorganize campaign targeted at building the network of He4She’
s and organizing programs to mentor men and young men with the notion of positive masculinity to protect women in the society.
We saw the need to establish an effective GBV management committee, as MDAs’ and development partner contributed to the process of mitigating GBV in Ekiti State.
It is evident that one cannot address GBV without paying attention to the economic state of
women because poverty fuels women and children’s vulnerability leading to poor life
The high point of the programme was the instant justice secured by BIGIF for a 16 year old teenage pregnancy survivor who is kept in her abuser house in Ado Ekiti,.
The First Lady gave a marching order to the concerned ministry to get the girl supported and bring her abuser to book in 24 hours.
The platform shall continue to give women agenda priority attention after the end of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti state.
In her contribution Dr Oyebanji also gave her commitment to lead and continue to advocate for the implementation of the Ekiti
The programme also reflected on the achievements Women Policy Agenda in the year, 2022.
The convener of the Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP),however commended the efforts of the First Lady in ensuring the eradication of GBV in Ekiti State.
BIGIF also enjoined all the stakeholders including civil society organizations (CSOs) to continually support the incoming government and
the First Lady in the fight against GBV and the advancement of women’s agenda in Ekiti State.