Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a steering committee and technical working committee on gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.
The committees were inaugurated on Wednesday at the local government service commission staff training centre, secretariat, Ibadan, during the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.
Inaugurating the committees, Makinde, represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, stated that the body was mandated to develop and implement programmes and policies to prevent gender-based violence in Oyo state.
He charged them with “The rehabilitation of persons who still fall victim to gender-based violence despite all the preventive measures”.
According to him, gender-based violence is a critical issue that affects individuals and communities across the globe, adding that this problem transcends borders, cultures and socioeconomic status, negatively impacting the lives of countless individuals over the years.
The governor called for an all-inclusive and sustained crusade to stem the tide of domestic violence, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, and public harassment, among other forms of violence against women in society.
He stressed the need to recognise collective responsibilities in the sustainable management of GBV, which requires comprehensive approach policies, support for survivors, and global initiatives.
“This violent behaviour has eaten deep into the fabric of the society. It cuts across most human societies, irrespective of gender”, he added.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, stated that it was imperative to put in place State Steering and Technical Working committees that will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs to put an end to GBV and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is a significant aspect of GBV.
Balogun pointed out that “the committees must work very hard to end gender-based violence in Oyo state, under the operational policy thrust of the Ministry, and the strategy of the United Nations Children’s Fund.”
