The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has declared that his administration has put up enabling legal framework that criminalizes any issue bordering on gender inequality in the state.
The Governor said the era when women were being maltreated and their voices being subjugated was over, saying all the laws geared towards protecting their rights are now being implemented by the government.
Fayemi spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday while declaring open the 4th Ekiti Gender Summit, held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital with the theme, ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Post Beijing: Political Will and Impact ‘
According to him, ” My administration has been recognized as a state that has the highest number of women political office holders in the country. Our government is serious and thorough about the implementation and no mercy for whoever rapes, abuses, or molests any woman in Ekiti. The laws are there to take care of them.
“I assure the people that my administration will continue to implement gender balancing and equality in the policy of the government. All the laws put in place to achieve this will be thoroughly implemented.”
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Wife of the governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi said the programme which is the fourth edition in the series was an initiative of her husband during his first term in office. She said this year’s programme comes at a time coincides with the anniversary of the famous UN Beijing conference for women.
She however reiterated the readiness of her husband to the implementation of the gender-based violence prohibition law, equal opportunities law, child right law and other safety policies that protect the rights of the womenfolk.
” Here in Ekiti state , we can at least say we have a government that understands what it means to make women equal stakeholders in development. We have a governor who we do not need to beg to do the right thing for women, children, the elderly those with special needs and many who struggle on the margins of society,” she said.
Similarly, the first lady of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Akeredolu said sustainable development can’t be achieved where the voices of women are being subjugated and their rights being eroded or trampled upon.
She said, “Mortality rate is still high among women despite concerted efforts. We must empower women and enact laws that can protect their lives. This summit will help us to evaluate the progress so far and how to plan for the future.”
According to the wife of the Governor of Osun State, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, a strong legal framework is required to protect the women against molestations and discrimination in society.
Delivering her lecture on the summit’s theme, Professor Olabisi Aina said every gender must be given the right to education to serve as a leveler between the rich and the poor.
“The gender equality war is not against men, but lives must be made better for women . Every man is born equal. Issue of poverty affects women adversely. It is a known fact that SDGs can’t be achieved without addressing the issue of gender imbalancing,” the don said.
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