Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the spouse of the Governor of Ekiti State, has once again confirmed the state government’s dedication to implementing strict consequences for individuals who commit gender-based violence.
Following a two-day workshop on Gender-based Violence held by the Office of Ekiti State First Lady and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the governor’s wife committed to collaborating with stakeholders to intensify initiatives aimed at significantly decreasing such acts within the state.
As per the announcement disclosed in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the First Lady stated, “Perpetrators of GBV in Ekiti State will always face the consequence of their actions to serve as deterrents to others.
“GBV is a human rights violation that threatens the well-being and development. Participants should make judicious use of the workshop to create actionable plans and key into the issues of GBV in various communities in tackling the menace.”
Folorunso Olabode, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, commended the governor’s wife for organizing an informative workshop on combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The workshop aimed to raise awareness, educate participants, and develop strategies for addressing GBV in the state.
Olabode encouraged attendees, which included various stakeholders such as the state Attorney General, female elected officials, civil servants, and local government chairmen and their spouses, to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to effectively combat GBV.
Resolutions from the workshop stressed the need for the government to establish comprehensive procedures for receiving, documenting, and reporting cases of GBV.
Additionally, participants suggested establishing a specialized task force/unit to ensure the safety of victims, provide ongoing training on GBV, and equip gender desk officers in the Councils with necessary resources.
They also want “disciplinary actions taken against any official who fails to respond to GBV cases, ensure that the First Lady’s project, Widows and Orphans Hope project should be replicated in local governments.”
The stakeholders also resolved that “governments should ensure payment of adequate compensation to the survivors of GBV, empower law enforcement agencies and the judiciary on prompt attendance to GBV cases and the establishment of gender court” among others.
