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

Ekiti Walks the Talk on World TB Day: A Powerful Step Towards Ending Tuberculosis

Ekiti’s Commitment to Ending Tuberculosis The energy was palpable on March 24th in Ekiti State, where a united front of health workers, community leaders, and TB survivors marked World TB Day. It wasn’t just a march; it was a rallying cry to end the tuberculosis epidemic. Spearheaded by the State Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Program (STBLCP), the event demonstrated what happens when communities come together with a shared vision.   A Collective Effort on Ekiti World TB Day The streets of Ekiti were alive with purpose as health workers, members of Civil Society Organizations, community leaders, and even TB survivors joined the march. Dr. Funke Ogunbunmi, Chairman of the Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Dr. Adepoju Rasheed, Executive Secretary, were at the forefront of the procession, leading with conviction. The rhythmic drumbeats and energetic singing echoed the resolve of those determined to make a difference. Community Engagement: A Visible Step Towards Action The event went beyond awareness, it was an embodiment of action. The road walk kicked off from Ojumose Roundabout and stretched through the lively Main Market, ending at the new Bus Terminal. This walk wasn’t just symbolic; it was a visual testament to the

Game On for Girls’ Health! Novelty Match Boosts HPV Awareness in Ondo State

Raising HPV Awareness Through Sports On World Cancer Day, Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC) partnered with Girl Effect Nigeria to spread a crucial message: HPV vaccination can help prevent cervical cancer! To engage young people, we organized a novelty football match between Muslim High School Ore and Ore Community High School in Ondo State.   Pre-Match HPV Awareness   Before the match, K&TRC CEO Martin-Mary Falana met with Muslim High School’s Principal, Mr. Malam Yusuf. He emphasized the importance of the HPV vaccine for young girls and praised the Ondo State Government for making it available at health centres. He also expressed K&TRC’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with the school. Educating Players on HPV Prevention After the National Anthem, Mr. Falana gathered the players and used the moment t   o explain why HPV vaccination is vital. He described cervical cancer as a serious health threat affecting the cervix, a crucial part of a woman’s reproductive system. Shockingly, when he ask   ed if any players had been vaccinated, none had. This made his message even more urgent. He encouraged them to get vaccinated and spread the word to their families and friends. The Match and Its Impact With that,

Empowering Communities: HPV Education and Vaccination flag off event in Ondo State

Launching HPV Education and Vaccination on International Women’s Day To mark International Women’s Day (IWD), Girl Effect, in collaboration with Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC), launched an HPV education and vaccination campaign in Akure South and Odigbo Local Government Areas of Ondo State. This initiative aims to educate parents and ensure eligible girls receive the HPV vaccine, a crucial step in preventing cervical cancer.   Empowering Champions for HPV Awareness As part of this initiative, 40 selected women from Akure South and Odigbo LGAs were trained to become HPV education and vaccination Champions. These Champions, equipped with the Champions’ App, play a key role in spreading accurate health information. The campaign will train a total of 60 Champions, including 40 community-based health workers and 20 school counsellors. The first engagement, led by Obaromi Hellen Olubumi, took place in Isolo Community, Akure, leading to the successful vaccination of all eligible girls in the area. Key Stakeholders Advocate for HPV Education and Vaccination The flag off event featured key stakeholders, including Dr. Adefesoye Victor, Director of Disease Control and Immunization at OSPHCDA. He emphasized that girls aged 9-14 should take advantage of this free HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.

Teachers Armed with Knowledge: Increasing HPV Vaccine Uptake in Schools

Imagine a future where young girls confidently walk into health facilities to receive the HPV vaccine, fully aware of its importance—protected, empowered, and in control of their health choices. This vision is at the heart of a groundbreaking initiative by Girl Effect, in partnership with Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC). To turn this vision into reality, we conducted a two-day training for teachers in Odigbo and Akure South Local Government Areas. The focus? Equipping educators with accurate information about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and training them to use the Champions App—an innovative tool designed by Girl Effect to increase HPV vaccine uptake among girls aged 9-14. Training Teachers to Drive HPV Vaccine Awareness The training wasn’t just a lecture; it was an immersive experience. Teachers gained in-depth knowledge about HPV, how it leads to cervical cancer, and the role of the vaccine in prevention. They also learned how to navigate the Champions App, which simplifies and personalizes HPV education for young girls. Experts Weigh In: The Role of Schools in HPV Vaccine Uptake Mrs. Olayemi Fakeyin, Deputy Director of Guidance and Counseling at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, emphasized the importance of securing the future of