Women of Ogun State were all smiles yesterday as the amiable Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Biodun came out boldly to advocate against gender-based violence.
The Governor revealed that having recognized the urgent need for intervention, his government have decided to provide a dignified shelter for individuals who have experienced the issue of gender violence, sexual harassment, or other forms of molestation in our state. This initiative aims to protect them from the stigma associated with these traumatic experiences.
During the recent road show organized as part of the 16 days’ Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in our state, he proudly announced this significant undertaking.
He was fully supported and joined by the First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who led other notable women in raising awareness about this pressing issue in the society.
His statement reads, “Our administration is committed to establishing a gender-based violence trust fund to support the welfare of the affected victims. We are dedicated to mobilizing resources and developing comprehensive plans to achieve this noble cause.
In response to the call for a specialized court to address cases of gender-based violence, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the exceptional women leading our state judiciary and the Customary Court of Appeal. We are confident that the Chief Judge, who possesses exceptional dedication and expertise, will take prompt action to expedite the realization of this request.
We remain steadfast in our support and assistance to women at both the executive and judiciary levels. Our goal is to ensure that all necessary measures are implemented to drastically reduce gender violence in our state.
Moreover, we believe it is crucial to shed light on the fact that violence against people is not solely limited to women. Men too often face abuse, albeit often silenced and overlooked. We strongly advocate for proper awareness and support for both female and male victims.
Our administration is devoted to inclusivity and will spare no effort in standing alongside our women to minimize the prevalence of gender-based violence in Ogun State”.
