In commemoration of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun has pledged to give victims in the state appropriate housing.
Abiodun made the commitment on Wednesday at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office when he welcomed his wife and other women who were on a roadshow as part of the state’s 16-day activism against gender-based violence.
The governor acknowledged that there has been a notable rise in gender-based violence in the nation, adding that the state would build a suitable building to serve as a shelter for victims of sexual harassment or other forms of molestation that have occurred there.
“You want us to ensure that we have a befitting shelter and you made a case for that, and you emphasized the fact that people abused in the house or at home can not go back home. There are those who do not have anywhere else to go back to. There is a lot of stigma associated with those who are abused.
“I believe that we have identified somewhere previously, but I am told that it may not be befitting.
“By this, I am now instructing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the Ministry of Housing to identify either a building; if they can’t find one, we identify a parcel of land and we will construct a befitting building to serve as the needed shelter for those persons who have been subjected to all kinds of sexual harassment,” he said.
“I also want to bring to the fore that violence against persons is not only violence against women alone. Men also are being abused. But often times, nobody talks about that, and I want to be the advocate for men who are being abused.
Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, the governor’s wife, in her speech stated that there is a need for advocacy to enable victims to speak up and feel protected.
Also, Dr. Mojisola Akinsanya, a gender analyst, also underlined the urgent necessity to move women who have experienced domestic abuse in order for them to have a calm place to remain.
She also called for a Gender Based Violence Trust Fund in the state, citing poverty as the root cause of the problem.
Responding, the governor said “On the Gender Based Violence Trust Fund, I will do everything that I can to ensure that we sit down and plan on how to mobilize resources towards this noble cause.
“Once again, I want to assure you that I do identify with you and as your Governor, I will do everything within my power to ensure that we reduce this incidence of gender based violence to an absolute minimum in Ogun State.” he concluded.
