Ogun First Lady Takes Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence To Schools..Calls For Collective Action To End The Menace

 

Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has has taken the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to tertiary institutions and secondary schools in the state,  calling for a collective action to end the menace in the society 

Mrs. Abiodun made the call during the screening of the Chatroom Movie for Right Holders (students), and Technical Staff in Secondary School and Tertiary Institutions organised by the Office of the First Lady in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Sterling One Foundation at the Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta, the State capital 

Represented by the wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Bolanle Oluomo, she  reiterated the State Government's commitment to make the society a safer place for all and give access to justice for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

The First Lady while  appreciating  UNFPA and Sterling One Foundation for their support and determination to put an end to the menace in the State, stressed the need to have constant awareness campaigns and support service system, to eradicate GBV in the society with the aim of creating a State where everyone regardless of their gender live free of violence.

She admonished students to be a part of the agents of change and rise up against violence, by complimenting  the State Government's efforts to eliminate Gender-Based Violence in the State.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, Coordinator, UNFPA Gender Reproductive Analyst, Dr. Esther Somefun and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe called on participants to speak up whenever they are being violated.

In their reactions to the movie, students of Abeokuta Grammar School and Unity High School, Ago-Ika, both in Abeokuta, Samuel Ayanyemi and Abibat Alabi, respectively lauded the initiative of the organiser and expressed optimism that it would have a positive impact in mitigating the menace.

Highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Aderinola Talabi, Director, Women Empowerment Services, Mrs. Wonuola Kassim, Dr.Esther Shomefun, and Mrs.Olapeju Ibekwe, among others.