In a swift reaction to stamp out Gender Based violence in Ekiti State , the Executive Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti, Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba on Friday while inaugurating Gender Based Violence Management Committee in the LCDA, advised the committee members to be observant and friendly to their various communities to identify victims of Gender violence to help them live normal life and bring perpetrators to book.
The LCDA Boss, advised at Ifeloju Secretariat, Ilupeju Ekiti, described GBV as harm perpetrated against a person or group of people because of their factual or perceived sex and gender. He appreciated Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife Bisi, for laying a solid foundation to eradicating the menace by replicating her good fight against gender violence in all Local Government/ LCDAs in Ekiti State.
Secretary to the LCDA, Hon. Babatunde Alonge who represented the Chairman at the inauguration administered oath of allegiance on the committee members.
While addressing the participants, the chairperson of the committee, Mrs Yetunde Ogunmilugba charged the committee to be committed and dedicated to frontally combat :rape, molestation, child abuse, human trafficking, assort ..et al
Mrs Ogunmilugba opined that the inauguration of the committee has signalled an end to the menace. She further admonished parents to train their children / wards in the ways of the Lord. She blamed gender violence on lack of parental upbringing and indecent dressing of female children.
While setting measures on how to go about the assignment, Mrs
Ogumilugba charged members not to reveal secrets of violence victims to the public, members should allow victims express themselves in the language they understand well and should not be sentimental.
She added that religious leaders and school principals should always teach female children morals and sex educations.
In her contribution, Her Royal Majesty, Monisade Oniyelu, the Regent of Ilupeju Ekiti, enjoined parents to be more keen in the upbringing of their female children and teach them necessary things they need to know for them not to fall victim.
Her Royal Majesty said there are portions of Nigeria Constitution and Ekiti Prohibition Laws that apportion punishment/ penalty on perpetrators of Gender Based Violence.
Also, a member of the committee, Supol Oladayo, Civil Defense Officer, urged women to be submissive to their husbands in all areas for peace to reign in their homes. He however cautioned men against beating their wives, Saying there are penalties enshrined in the Constitution for offenders.
The Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Oluwafemi urged parents to be observant of people around them, she said most of the perpetrators of gender violence are families/ relatives. She however frowns at excessive punishment meted on children, saying such could cause more havoc on them
Members of the committee comprises : Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defense Corps, Amotekun, Religious leaders, Iyaloja/ Iyalaje, Artisans, Drivers Union, Students, Private Organization and Youths.