FIDA takes advocacy against GBV to Ekiti communities

…seeks stakeholders’ support

The International Federation Of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria Ekiti State branch has taken the advocacy against the menace of gender-based violence to communities in Are-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The sensitisation programme tagged, ‘ Empowering Men and Boys In the Grassroots as Agents of Change to End Gender Based Violence’ was aimed at protecting the girl child and women from any form of violence and harmful practices and also ensuring that the men respects the rights of women in the society.

The event held at the weekend was well attended by participants including youths, chiefs, religious leaders, commercial motorcyclists, parents, among others.

Speaking, the chairperson of the FIDA Ekiti branch, Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards noted that harmful and cultural practices against the female gender and the vulnerable should be discouraged, adding warning that female genital mutilation and other practices are dangerous to the health and well-being of the girl child.

While calling for stakeholders’ support in stamping out the menace from the society, the chairperson appealed to the people to be ambassadors and advocates of good practices in the community.

According to her, “Although gender based violence is for both genders but women and the girl child are prone to sexual harassment, abuse, physical assault, emotional trauma, rape and other vices; men also suffer domestic violence but women have the highest percentage from our findings.

“Hence our decision to bring this program to this community today to enlighten us on the dangers of these GBV practices and for our men to serve as advocates against the harmful practices in the community.

“FIDA is carrying out the project to change the perception of men about the girl child, educate them on the laws guiding the society on violence against women.”

Delivering the lecture on causes of GBV and its consequences, the financial secretary of FIDA, Ifedapo Osadola informed the participants that these practices have negative impacts on the upbringing of children.

Osadola, said, ” the causes of  gender based violence having been identified and research shown that such vices have negative impacts on children as well. Children whose parents suffer domestic violence suffer poor academic performance, physical abuse and even contracting sexually transmitted diseases.”

In their remarks, a member of FIDA, Mrs Kikelomo Owolabi and a former chairperson of the association, Mrs Odunayo Oluwatoyin urged the public to stop discrimination of children and women especially vulnerable ones and stigmatizing survivors of rape, genital mutilation and physical abuse.

“We urged our men not to be too harsh on these women as lack of interest in intimacy maybe due to the  tampering of their s3xual organs,” they argued.

The Alare of Are kingdom, Oba Boluwatife Adesuyi commended FIDA for the sensitization program, promising to use his platforms in campaigning against all harmful practices in the community.

The monarch said, “I want to appeal to our men to stop practices that are causing our women harm, it is not bravery for a man to physically assault a woman rather it shows weakness.

“I therefore believe our men have learnt something tangible today and as your traditional ruler, if i am not a woman beater i don’t expect any man in this kingdom to act in such a despicable manner.”

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