By Precious Oham
Worried by the prevalent cases of Gender-Based-Violence, GBV, Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, child abuse, human trafficking, among others, Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, on Wednesday, held a sensitisation rally in Ekiti communities.
The campaign, which was in collaboration with stakeholders had several actions to drive home awareness including interactive sessions, enlightenment on Ekiti State GBV Laws and road march across Iyin-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti communities.
Speaking, the Assistant Director of JDPI, Rev. Sis. Agatha Ogbuagu, who educated the participants on their rights as citizens urged them to report cases of human rights abuses to the appropriate authorities.
She explained that the essence of the campaign was to nip the rising cases ways of GBV in the bud and bring perpetrators to book adding that the campaign would enlighten the people to speak out against GBV, show respect in work places and at homes in order not to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.
Also speaking, Magistrate Olaiya Francisca of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, said the Agency is saddled with the responsibilities of protecting and preserving the rights, interests and well-being of women and children.
She noted that if anyone is found guilty of special assault and sexual abuse, the suspect, be it man or woman is liable to a minimum of 14 years imprisonment or life imprisonment depending on the nature of the offences.
She highlighted the channels to report such occurrences to include Special Court, Gender Court, among others.
She said: “If anyone is found guilty of Special Assault, sexual abuse, and rape, the minimum punishment is 14 years imprisonment or life imprisonment depending on the age and nature of the offences.”
On his part, the Ekiti State Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Biodun Adigun appealed to the residents to speak up and not indulge in the culture of silence.
Adigun, represented by the Commission’s Public Affairs Officer, Bayo Babalola, said the culture of silence does no good but to water the roots of anti-social vices, adding that speaking up to the Government will enable the Commission to bring the perpetrators into book.
Also, the representative of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Eleyinmi Olutoyosi Funmilayo charged women and parents to shun FGM, as it generally affects the well-being of the girl child.
She also urged parents to create time and monitor their wards, as it is yardstick of securing brighter future for them.
“Let’s create time for our children and monitor them. Let’s know their association, because of their future. There is law in the country and in Ekiti, let’s end FGM, it causes childlessness, it affects them entirely.”
Another representive of FIDA, Kadijat Kolawole Adeniyi, charged the residents to thread carefully before migrating out of the country in order not to be victims of human trafficking.
After the sensitisation, the Team marched across the streets of Iyin-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti to also sensitise the women and their male counterparts including the context of the GBV Prohibition Law of Ekiti State, with placards that reads “Speak Up, don’t die in silence”, “Stop Female Genital Mutilation now”, “Shun Gender based violence now”, among others.
Earlier, the Team had paid a courtesy visit to Oluyin-In-Council for their collaboration to join in the fight against women marginalisation in politics and other spheres of life.
They urged the community leaders to constantly enlighten residents and report cases of GBV to appropriate authorities so as to ensure punitive measures are implemented, to serve as a deterrent to others
Responding, Chief Oloro Sunday Taiwo and Chief Osola Akinwunmi promised to work with the team and join hands in the fight against women magnalisation for the betterment of Ekiti.