By Joseph Treasure
Traditional rulers and Communiy leaders in Ekiti State have been advised to continue to prevail in their subjects to desist from harmful traditional practices and Gender Based Violence of any nature so as to ensure a healthy society.
A cleric and Assistant Director of the Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Rev. Sis. Agatha Ogbuagu gave the advice during an awareness campaign held in Oye and Isan Ekiti.
The campaign was carried out in collaboration with stakeholders including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, head teachers and principals, International Federation of Women Lawyers, National Human Rights Commission, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the Gender Unit, office of the Ekiti State First Lady.
Rev. Sister Ogbuagu explained that the cases of GBV in the country was on the increase hence all hands must be on deck to correct the ugly trend.
During a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, the Assistant Director of JDPI, Rev. Sis. Agatha Ogbuagu said the sensitisation is aimed at educating the people of the community on the adverse effects of GBV.
While appealing to the Oba and chiefs of the community to join hands in the fight against GBV, she noted that the capacity of the Oba will go a long way in nipping the issue of GBV to the bud.
Her words: “We are here because we love the people of Oye-Ekiti and the Oba has been good to us. We are here not only representing ourselves, we are collaborating with other agencies like the media, head teachers, principals, representative of the gender unit of the state government.
“We are here to tell you about GBV. Our children are being molested sexually by the adults that are taking care of them, even by their own fathers, uncles and we are sad about it. Your children are equally our children. Our wives are being beaten by their husbands. They are all abuses. Our wives too are not respecting their husbands.
“These are issues and when we them it affects our children and that is why we are here to promote peace and cordial living among ourselves and to tell us the implication of harassing a child, beating your wife and the wife not respecting her husband and this why we are here.
“We are here to tell you about GBV. Our children are being molested sexually by the adults that are taking care of them, even by their own fathers, uncles and we are sad about it. Your children are equally our children. Our wives are being beaten by their husbands. They are all abuses. Our wives too are not respecting their husbands.
“These are issues and when we them it affects our children and that is why we are here to promote peace and cordial living among ourselves and to tell us the implication of harassing a child, beating your wife and the wife not respecting her husband and this why we are here.
“We are appealing to the Kabiyesi and all the chiefs to please help us to see that we reduce GBV to the barest minimum in your community. We trust your capacity and if actually take the lead, it will happen.”
Responding, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sir Michael Oluwole Ademolaju, Adugbole 3, the Oloye Oye Kingdom thanked the group for the good works in propagating the gospel against GBV.
Oba Ademolaju, who seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to girls who dress indiscriminately, cautioned the boy-child not to look at a girl provocatively adding that it shouldn’t be a justification for rape, rather they should exercise self-control.
He said: “We are only trying to minimise the issues, crime of rape and all these issues. There are so many girls to boys that dress indiscriminately. I want you to consider that too as a campaign.
“I think too the ladies should dress properly, displaying their bodies is not too good. You see a lady almost walking nakedly can arouse the actions and when that action takes place, it’s very dirty. We want you to actually take that along that our people should dress properly.
“I’m using this opportunity to warn the boys too. We are not dogs. If anybody should dress provocatively, you look at the other side. If a crazy woman is walking nakedly and you are looking at her provocatively too, then you are crazy.
“We thank you for what you are doing for us. We expect more in everything thing you are doing for us. We are very grateful.”
At Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi, the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, represented by a Chief in the community assured that the information on GBV will be disseminated to the people.
The Community Town Hall Sensitisation Meeting on GBV with the Women Group at Isan-Ekiti witnessed various sensitisation on areas such as Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, child abuse, human trafficking, among others.
They urged the women 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.
On her part, Olori Christiana Funke, Olori Oba Onisan of Isan-Ekiti appreciated JDPI for the sensitisation visit which she described as one that will further make women in the community to be aware of their right.
While calling on women to always respect their spouses, the Olori admonished them not to leverage on provisions of the law as an avenue to implicate the innocent.
Highlights of the campaign was a tour across the streets of Oye-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.