donate now

Declare State Of Emergency On Gender-Based Violence – Ondo CSOs

Civil Society organisations, led by Kids & Teens Resource Centre in Ondo State staged a walk against rape calling on the Federal government to declare a state of emergency on gender based violence in Nigeria.

Speaking on this trend, the CEO, Kids & Teens Resource Centre, Martin-Mary Falana on behalf of other organizations called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.

The conveyor, Folashade Bamigboye advocated for effective implementation of existing laws aimed at protecting children and the domestication of the VAPP laws across all states to create a safety net for girls and women in Nigeria.

According to her, since the Uwa case occurred and got so much public attention, many more cases had been reported across Nigeria. There had been the case of 18-year-old Barakat Bello in Ibadan who was raped to death, the 12-year-old girl in Jigawa raped by 12 men including a 67-year old man, the 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje who was a victim of her guardian’s criminal tendency.

Similarly in Ondo state, a Pastor of Holy Ghost Mission Church Ehinogbe, Owo, Ondo state, Peter Alatake, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly raping a 16-year-old secondary school girl suffering from epilepsy during a ‘deliverance’ session in his church. An undergraduate, Femi Adejuwon raped a 16-year-old secondary school leaver in Akure, the Ondo state capital, to mention a few.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Queen TKO Foundation, Olori  Funmilayo Aladetoyinbo cried over the trend of incest and child molestation in Ondo State, and advocated stiffer penalty to abusers of child’s rights and called for establishment of Action Committees on GBV in communities and religious institutions to tackle child sexual abuse in the state.

Addressing the various civil society organisations on a walk at Adegbemile centre in Akure, the Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development and Chairperson, Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Gender Issues, Hon Favour Tomomewo said efforts were in top gear to domesticate the Violence Against Persons and Property Act (VAPP) which would further protect women and girls in Ondo State.

Disturbed by the cruel incidences of rape and molestation of minors in the state, she joined her voice with the advocates by requesting that the Federal Government declare a state of emergency on Rape.

The event brought together civil society actors, SGBV survivors and specialists and they unanimously called for increased commitment and political will to end SGBV. They called on Government to strengthen SGBV prevention and response as a priority.

The actors; ForHer initiative, Girls to Women Research and Development Centre, Better Living Foundation, Gender and the Girl Child Development, Kick Against Molestation Initiative, Queen TKO Foundation, The Etabitha Project and the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps among others took turns and shared their views, ordeals and wishes on cases of rape, child molestation and killings of girls and women in Nigeria and called for Death Penalty for perpetrators.

Olufisoye Adenitan for Radio Nigeria

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

*

Share:

More Posts

Good Deeds Day 2024: Spreading Kindness in Ondo State

Good Deeds Day 2024: Spreading Kindness in Ondo State The 2024 Good Deeds Day celebration in Ondo State unfolded with resounding success, marking a transformative moment that resonated with kindness, empathy, and community spirit. The event took place at the Ago-Ireti Community. It was a testament to the power of collective goodwill and the potential for positive change. The day commenced with a solemn opening prayer, symbolizing the unity and shared purpose of the community. Esteemed guests, including the National Coordinator Good Deeds Day Southwest, Martin Mary Falana, State Coordinator Mrs. Abidoye Irene, and Assistant State Adviser Mrs. Odedele, graced the occasion. The event also welcomed representatives from various NGOs, such as Kids & Teens Resource Centre, Gold Heart Foundation, Glorious Child of Hope, Mercy Speaks Initiative, Pace Setter, Gender Vanguard CDs, and Sojitade Foundation, underscoring the collaborative efforts towards fostering kindness and positive change. Mrs. Abidoye Irene delivered the opening speech, tracing the origins of Good Deeds Day. She noted its global impact since its inception at Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Highlighting the movement’s focus on promoting kindness, positive speech, and actions, particularly among the youth. She also emphasized the far-reaching influence of Good Deeds Day, engaging over 108

Empowering Women in Rural Communities

Empowering Women in Rural Communities At the recent UN CSW68 event in New York, Mrs. Folashade Bamigboye, the Executive Director of Kids & Teens Resource Centre, shared an inspiring message about the crucial need for innovatively empowering women in rural areas. This important gathering brought together participants to discuss and address gender equality challenges affecting women in rural African communities. In her address, Mrs. Bamigboye highlighted the persistent gender inequality faced by rural women and girls. She emphasized the theme, “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.” Also, she stressed the need to overcome challenges and create opportunities for the empowerment of rural women and girls. She laid emphasis on key reasons why this empowerment is vital: 1. Economic Empowerment: Empowering women with access to financial resources, education, and training can help them start businesses, increase productivity, and gain independence, breaking the cycle of poverty. 2. Healthcare Improvement: Empowered women are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their families. This in turn leads to better maternal and child health outcomes. 3. Social Empowerment: Empowering women allows them to have a voice in decision-making processes. It also gives them the opportunity

World Health Day; My Health, My Right

World Health Day; My Health, My Right On April 7, 2024, the Oke Ilero/Ita Oniyan Community in Isinkan Akure hosted a successful World Health Day event organized by the Kids & Teens Resource Center (K&TRC) under the theme “My Health, My Right.” The event aimed to raise awareness about individual health rights and promote overall well-being. The day began with the arrival of participants and the registration process, accompanied by the rendition of the National Anthem. The event featured various organizations, including the Youth Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI), Mari Stone International (MSI), and K&TRC, all of which played pivotal roles in the day’s activities. Miss Ayoola Adebayo from YALI started the day’s discussions with her opening remarks. She emphasized the significance of the theme “My Health, My Right.” The event also featured a compelling presentation by Mrs. Oluronti from MSI. Her presentation focused on mental health and its profound impact on daily life, relationships, and physical well-being. The presentation highlighted risk factors, common mental disorders, and methods for identification and treatment. Furthermore, Mrs. Adedutun Israel addressed the crucial topic of family planning. He advocated for responsible decision-making to ensure the proper care and upbringing of children. After this, a session

Egg Race To Wealth: Commemorating International Women’s Day

Egg Race To Wealth: Commemorating International Women’s Day  “The Egg Race To Wealth,” a remarkable event organized by Kids & Teens Resource Centre in Karomajiji, a community in F.C.T, to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event was celebrated women and also gave an opportunity to empower the participants through a unique competition and promises of support and training. The program commenced with an opening prayer led by Imam Abdullahi Dauda and Tina Sani, representing the Islamic and Christian faiths respectively. The CEO of K&TRC, Martin Mary Falana, delivered a warm welcome address, expressing appreciation for the women and outlining the purpose of the event, along with the empowerment opportunities available to the competition winners. Following the welcome address, a captivating cultural presentation by the Gwari dance troop set the stage for the main event. Martin Mary Falana explained the rules of the competition, emphasizing the importance of skill and precision in carrying an egg on a spoon without dropping it. The competition; Egg Race To Wealth, was not only a source of joy and excitement but also a platform for empowerment. Ten winners emerged from the race, each expressing their aspirations and needs for support, ranging from learning new skills to seeking