End to violence against women a collective responsibility- Mrs Makinde

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

Wife of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde has said that it is the collective responsibility of the people of the state to work towards ending violence against women and children in the society.

Mrs. Makinde disclosed this today during a press briefing to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism in Oyo State held at the Office of the First Lady, Conference Room, along Government House Road, Agodi, Ibadan.

The First Lady noted that violence against women and girls is still prevalent in our society, most especially among the poor of the poorest because they are poor and they can’t fight for their security talkless of feeding their family, so, this gives room for a lot of atrocities to happen to them such as child trafficking, sexual assault, rape, etc.

Mrs. Makinde however, encouraged them to speak out against every form of girl and women violence in their environment not just sexual abuse but also gender-based violence.

According to her, the 16 days of activism is in line with the united nation observant for the international day of violence against women and this year’s theme tagged “Orange the World, End Violence Against the Women”, adding that, “let us make this world a beautiful place for women and children. I will say “soro soke” orange the world and say no to violence against women and the girl child in our state”.

Mrs. Makinde stressed further that the Oyo State Government has recorded huge success in the GBV campaign activities where the State has established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Rescue Team which attend to the need of survival and provide referral services to the victims of GBV.

She said the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Oyo State Government has embarked on several campaign and advocacy programmes against GBV in the State where people talked about their experience during the Covid 19 pandemic, the proactive measure, and how to protect their girl child and women from being sexually assaulted.

She implored the chairpersons not to be discouraged and not relent in their effort in the campaign and work against the GBV, stressing that, Mothers should continue to take care of their children and watch out about the unspoken sign on their girl child which will give them the courage to say something,” soro soke, say no to GBV and say yes to girl child education”.

Makinde, therefore, encouraged stakeholders and fathers to protect their wives, women, sisters, girls, daughters and always be there for their neighbours. They should not watch them alone but do something and say something.

She urged everyone in Oyo State to speak up, saying if you see something, say something.

As part of activities marking the activism against Gender- bases violence, Mrs. Makinde walked with top government officials in the State which includes Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, Head of Service, Alhaja Ololade Agboola, Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora, Hon. Mrs. Bolanle Sarumi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaja Aminat Atere, Wives of All Local Government Chairmen across the State among others.