Gender-based Violence Laws Must Be Severe On Perpetrators – Stakeholders

Stakeholders on the Action Plan for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Delta State have said its laws must be punitive and severe on perpetrators to curtail the menace.

This came during the launch by the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, of the social development programme.

The launch which was overseen by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s representative, the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, took place in Asaba during a stakeholders engagement on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Action Plan.

According to the governor who underscored the debilitating nature and devastating effect of GBV as a global scourge, the launch is beyond a mere policy document but a living roadmap that would guide and enable the state government and her collaborative partners to fight the menace from the standpoint of the law.

While acknowledging the pain of women in GBV, the governor also noted that men even go through much more violence, but mostly in silence.

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However, he said the solution to GBV must be anchored on education, specifically the education of the girl-child and women; adding that all stereotypes affecting the recognition of equal rights and opportunities for male and female children must be broken.

“If we want to build a nation, develop a woman, we must pay attention to the education of the girl-child and woman as a basis for the elimination of the root causes of GBV. Women and families must rise to the challenge of GBV by ensuring that every child has equal rights and all stereotypes affecting the fulfillment of purpose by women are broken.

“The God-given uniqueness and potential of women must not be a disadvantage to society. Therefore, we must scale up all structures to build a resilient system that ensures the elimination and prevention of GBV.

I beseech all of us as stakeholders, to rise with renewed determination and vigour to translate this action plan into reality,” the governor affirmed.

The commissioner for women affairs, community and social Development, Hon. Pat Ajudua, said the event was not just a ceremonial launch, but a strategic turning point, a defining moment in the state’s journey towards building a society that is safe, inclusive and just for all, especially for women and girls who have suffered in silence under the weight of GBV.