Ekiti: Stakeholders unite against gender-based violence

The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Yemi Oyebanji and other stakeholders have vowed to lower the curve of Gender-Based Violence in the state.

They gave the commitment at the special plenary held for anti-GBV by the House of Assembly as part of the 16 days of activism.

The Ekiti First Lady, who bemoaned the state’s poor record on GBV, said no stone would be left unturned in reversing the ugly trend.

Mrs Oyebanji, therefore, warned violators to shun the act by retracing their steps, promising to launch a far-reaching campaign against GBV in order to have a saner society.

In her address, the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba expressed sadness over the prevalence of gender-based violence in spite of robust legislative and policy intervention.

The speaker hinted that the state would review the adequacy or otherwise of the legal instrument and other government policies on sexual and domestic violence.

“GBV is a crime against individuals, society and humanity. We must all join hands together to stop it, we must all rise and work together to fight and end the rape epidemic in Ekiti State,” the Speaker said.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda,(SAN), In his paper presentation, “Reflections on Strategies for Responding to GBV in Ekiti State: What Have We Done? What Next?” said there is a need for an immediate evaluation of the adequacy of laws and administrative interventions