In a bid to end gender base violence, women have been urged to speak out any form of violence for help to be rendered to survivors. These were disclosed at a Village Square Meeting facilitated by the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) supported by FORD FOUNDATION in collaboration with ROTDOW held at Uso in Owo local government area of Ondo state.
In her goodwill message at the meeting, representative of the Executive Secretary of Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based Violence Barr Joel Ogundadegbe implored women to collaborate with the organisers to benefit from the programme. Ogundadegbe described women as economic engines of the society anywhere in the world.
She stated the state law which says, ‘don’t violate women’ should be realised, saying they have the economic value in the society as mothers of kings, chiefs, professors, doctors and the likes. The Chief Executive Officer of the Restoration of Dignity of Womanhood, ROTDOW, Mrs Olabisi Omolona said woman dignity should be valued and respected as she implored women to speak up rather than dying in silence. ROTDOW CEO reeled out the roles of the CRT as to assist in the mediation and reconciliation without necessary reporting to litigation. Helps in writing statements evidence and other necessary information needed by the lawyer and providing quick legal aid to victim of abuse as well as orgarnising outreach programs to educate people in the communities of their rights.
Omolona declared that there is empowerment for those who speak up while she urged women to listen to their children, particularly the girls.
The State Commandant of Civil Defence Corps Dr. Ahmed Abolurin, represented by D.S.C Akinmoluwa, announced that children found in the streets after 9.am during school hours will be arrested and that the urderaged ones would be charged to court using their parents names.
Also, that a joint committee will be set up in the community to attend to cases of violence against girls and women which will be given urgent attention. Abolurin said the law do not allow men who violate women, calling on women to understand the law and fight for their rights.
He charged women to monitor and take care of their children, stressing that underaged children used for hard labour or sex workers in the community should be reported to appropriate authorities.
A Traditional Chief of the community, Chief Fatuyi appreciated the WARDC on the programme brought to his community suggesting that men maltreating their wives should be jailed.
Chief Olaoluwa Peter Oyinlade opined that any man found guilty of violation or maltreating his wife be made to face the wrath of the law because a nation cannot exist without women and should be regarded as such, saying ‘No woman, No Nation.’ Chief Adejuwon on his own, expressed satisfaction on bringing the programme to their community which he said will add meaning to the future of the youths.
He charged women to speak up and report any such case in the community while he called on women to be partakers in the programme.
