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Kwara State Government sets To Bring To Justice, Perpetrators Of Violence Against Women
The Kwara State Government says it will continue to bring to justice, perpetrators of all forms of violence against women and girls in the State.
Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq stated this at a walk to commemorate this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Ilorin.
The event which marks the beginning of the 16 Day Activism Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence, was attended by members of civil society organisations, women in the military, women groups, and students.
In an address to declare the event opened, Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hajia Saadatu Modibbo Kawu, said that laws against gender based violence, are being followed to the latter in Kwara State, to serve as deterrent to perpetrators.
“And we are involving our students from early now, so that they can carry it forward.”
In an address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Opeyemi Afolashade announced that five persons were being prosecuted by the State Government for offences bothering on violence against women and girls, and urged residents to report any incidence to the Ministry, law enforcement agencies or public health facility closer to them.
“And presently, we’ve gotten two judgment and three are still awaiting trial in court. So the government does not toy with anybody that violates women’s rights and child rights.”
Chief Afolashade affirmed that a rehabilitation center for survivors, has been set up by the State Government to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs pointed out that women cabinet members in the State, have distinguished themselves as achievers, a testament that women can equally contribute to societal development.
“Come 2027, by the special grace of God, we want more women in House of Assembly and more in strategic areas.”
She urged residents to speak up against wife battery, harmful widowhood practices, rape, child abuse and all forms of violence, as silence would give perpetrators freedom to cause more harm.
In a message on the occasion, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, called for equal opportunities for women in sciences to find solutions to health challenges affecting them.
“We put people in ship and send them to outer space but we still don’t have an effective cure for just menstrual pain that women have experienced since the beginning of time.
So, science, medicine, the rest of the world needs to start seeing women as human beings and equal contributors to society.”
Some participants, Barrister Anthonia Oshiniwe, Ashaolu Damilola and Tioluwani Temitope, called for a safer society for women and girls to thrive.
The theme of this year’s event is Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women.
By Rasheedat Iliyas
