Stop Blaming Victims Of Gender Based Violence-Ogun PS Tells Security Operatives, Health Workers

Security operatives and health workers have been asked to show empathy rather than blaming the survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), so as to encourage victims to speak out.

The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi stated this in Abeokuta, during a 2-day capacity building training organised by the ministry  in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the Law Enforcement staff and Community Health Extension Workers in the State held at Courtyard Marque, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

Represented by the Director of Women Empowerment Service, Mrs. Wonuola Kassim, Ogunremi, noted that the State government is committed to ensuring that survivors of GBV have access to justice which would in turn serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous persons that perpetrate the evil act.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised the need to ensure prevention and prompt response to Gender-Based Violence issues in the State.

"It is imperative to build the capacity of the first-line attendees of victims for justice and necessary support through prevention and prompt response to the victims when the need arises " Ogunremi emphasized.

In his goodwill message, representative of the Director, Development Partners Coordinator, the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. Babajide Akindele, harped on the synergy among security agencies, the legal community, and healthcare providers towards ensuring the elimination of GBV by creating a safer and more equitable approach that would expedite the pursuit of justice for survivors, noting that education, awareness, and community engagements would be further intensified.

Also Dr. Esther Somefun who delivered her lecture titled ‘’Basic Concepts, Causes, and Consequences of Sexual Gender-Based Violence,’’ Coordinator, UNFPA Gender Reproductive Analyst,  called for synergy between law enforcement agencies and healthcare professionals in order to create a friendly atmosphere for survivors to feel safe while confiding in them.

According to her, education and sensitisation play a key role in solving the menace of GBV in the state saying, ‘’females being the most victims should be informed of their right to report violence as well as how to reject harmful gender norms that could lead to consistent violations’’.

Appreciating the State government and UNFPA for organising the capacity building training, an Anti-Human Trafficking Officer, Mrs. Bunmi Asogbon and  Mrs. Olabisi Balogun, a Nurse said the training was an eye opener to improve the collection of forensic evidence when performing physical and genital examinations for survivors to get justice.