Stakeholders chart new approaches to end gender-based violence

The need to accelerate actions to end gender-based violence by creating new approaches and survival strategies was the focus of a one-day capacity building held for leaders of thoughts as well as stakeholders and organizations saddled with the responsibility of fighting gender-based violence in Oyo State.

The capacity building women was part of efforts to ensure that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is reduced to the barest minimum across Oyo State and it was organised by the Oyo State Gender Based and Violence Response Team (Oyo SGBVRT) in collaboration with Oyo Cares.

The capacity building training held at the Mediation Centre Conference Room at the Ministry Of Justice, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Monday, also sensitised responders from various ministries, government agencies, NGOs and the media on issues in abuse and its types; financial, emotional, physical, psychological, sexual and verbal amongst others.

In a paper delivered by Oluwakemi Ogunsade, it was said that violence against women is a form of gender-based violence based on the United Nation Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women as adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1993 which defined violence against women as any act of gender based violence that result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such arts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty whether occurring in public or private life.

It is said that gender-based violence can take various forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse, violence against women that occur both in public and private settings, such as the home, workplace, schools, or on the streets.

“In Nigeria, three states top the chart with the most prevalent cases of sexual violence against women and they are Lagos ranking first, Kaduna and Kano ranking second and third respectively. All thanks to Oyo State Government for reducing the menace of Gender-based violence in Oyo State, however there is much to be done to ensure that GBV in Oyo State is reduced to the barest minimum and this can be done through awareness and program like this. Gender-based violence has severe and long-lasting consequences for survivors, including physical injuries, mental health issues, social isolation, economic disadvantages, and even death.

“It also perpetuates a culture of violence and fear, limiting the opportunities and potential of women and girls and eradicating gender-based violence requires a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach. I opined that adequate resources should be allocated for implementing these laws effectively,” she added.

They called for legislative and policy reforms, emphasising that governments should enact and enforce laws that criminalise gender-based violence and protect the rights of survivors, adding that these laws should cover various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and child marriage. Laws should also facilitate reporting, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators while protecting survivors and providing support services.

Also, they asked for increase in awareness and education with the belief that public campaigns can educate communities about the harmful effects of GBV challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence, and promote gender equality.

“These campaigns should target both men and women to foster behavioral change. Promote comprehensive sexuality education from an early age that includes discussions on consent, healthy relationships, gender equality, and respect. Educational programs should also focus on challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate violence. Raise public awareness through campaigns, media, and community mobilization to foster a culture of zero tolerance for gender-based violence. Promotion of education and awareness campaigns to challenge the deeply ingrained societal attitudes and stereotypes that contribute will be of great help. This can include promoting gender equality, respectful relationships, and dismantling patriarchal and religious norms.”

“It’s so unfortunate that the media is sexualising young people and gone are the days when you tune your television on and programs such as “speak out, I need to know and many others on Nigerian Television Authority.”  Program such as this is also a very good way of promoting awareness in people. It helps them to speak out and to seek help.

“Oyo State, like the rest of Nigeria, has laws in place to address gender-based violence and protect women. However, the enforcement of these laws and the efforts to end gender-based violence and are still ongoing and requires continued action,” she advocated.

It was concluded that gender-based violence is a menace that can be cured through active participation of all and everyone has a responsibility to stand against gender-based violence by working towards creating a more equitable and safe society for the females and the children.