SOJI AJIBOLA, IBADAN
Oyo State government has disclosed that it recorded 692 gender-based violent cases in the past one year.
The Chairman of the State Rapid Response Team on Gender Based Violence, Mr. Marcus Williams disclosed this at the presentation of the one year report of his committee in Ibadan.
Mr. Marcus Williams said there was a need to respond to the plights of girl–child and women on time as they appeared to be the most vulnerable to gender based violence in the society.
He explained that most of the cases reported happened in the rural communities, hence the need to collaborate with community leaders and sensitised them on the role to play in reducing the shameful acts and ensure that parents play active roles in giving their children both formal and informal education, while the society should also play its role of positive modelling.
While acknowledging the efforts and support of the state government to the committee, Williams stated that the Rapid Response Team did not only rescue the survivors alone, but also supported them and handled each case to positive conclusions.
He said cases reported were swiftly responded to with provision of psychosocial support, healthcare, alternative shelter, educational, nutrition and legal support as the case may be, and all these were made possible by the Oyo State government.
“The society has to rise up and take up responsibility, parents should see this as a clarion call for them to take good care of their kids in the areas of moral upbringing and basic education that will give the children direction in life.
“Government cannot do it all, in fact, the state has done so much to eradicate this cankerworm and other stakeholders should also do their bit so that we will see the end of the problem of gender-based violence,” he said.
Earlier in her remarks, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Christiana Abioye, appreciated the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration for the support given to the team to perform optimally and also recognised the efforts of the team, its dedication to duty and selfless service to humanity by tackling cases of gender-based violence swiftly.
She charged them not to relent and be more holistic and diligent in handling all cases reported, while not hesitating to apply the necessary enabling laws in discharging their duties.
“We have laws on ground against perpetrators and we will ensure that necessary actions and punishments are meted out to them,” she said.
She advised people to always be vigilant and voice out their observation, adding that curbing the menace is a collective responsibility.