Iyalodes and Iyalojas Spearhead Campaign to End Violence against Women and Girls in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Ondo South Senatorial District
In a move to address the prevalent issue of violence against women and girls, the Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC) and Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood (ROTDOW), with funding from the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) and support from the Ford Foundation, organized a training program for the Iyalodes (traditional women leaders) and Iyalojas (market women leaders) in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Ondo South Senatorial District. The aim of this program was to create awareness and empower these influential women to take action against gender-based violence (GBV) within their communities.
The program commenced with an opening prayer led by one of the participants. This was followed by the introduction of the team members. Miss Oluwabukola provided an overview of the program, emphasizing its significance and purpose. Chief Mrs Adegbemigun Mofesola, the Iyalojas General, delivered a goodwill message, expressing their joy in hosting such a timely program. She acknowledged the need to address the cases of violence that had previously gone unattended due to the lack of appropriate channels for seeking justice.
Chief Mrs Adegbemigun Mofesola proceeded to explain the concept of gender-based violence, citing specific examples of actions that constitute GBV, such as rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, forceful ejection, restriction of freedom, political violence, forced isolation, and harmful widowhood practices. She stressed the importance of reporting every case of GBV. She also highlighted the efforts made to combat and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Using informative IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials, Chief Mrs Adegbemigun Mofesola further elaborated on the various types of violence and the corresponding legal consequences. The session encouraged active participation from the Iyalodes and Iyalojas. This prompted them to share their knowledge and experiences related to violence within their communities.
During the Q&A-session, she engaged the participants in discussions about the nature of violence and the acts that constitute it. Participants shared their insights, with one mentioning rape as an act of violence. Another participant highlighted an issue prevalent in the community, where designated individuals would forcefully collect money from market sellers. This would then resort to physical violence if they were unable to pay.
In response to a participant’s query, she emphasized that female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights. She explained that FGM not only denies girls their autonomy and voice but also inflicts pain. Stating that, this leads to potential health complications. She further clarified that FGM perpetuates inequality between men and women. By falsely associating it with promiscuity women are denied the full enjoyment of their sexual experiences. The participants were encouraged to actively work towards ending this harmful practice.
Following the training received from WARDC, the Iyalodes and Iyalojas collectively devised an action plan to address specific forms of violence within their communities. The Iyalodes’ work plan includes tackling political violence, harmful widowhood practices, and indecent exposure. The workplan was with designated dates and locations for each issue. Similarly, the Iyalojas’ work plan focuses on combating rape and FGM in specific locations within the district.
The training program successfully equipped the Iyalodes and Iyalojas in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo with the knowledge and tools necessary to raise awareness and take action against violence targeting women and girls. The event not only fostered dialogue and understanding but also emphasized the importance of reporting incidents of gender-based violence. With their newly acquired skills and work plans in place, these influential community leaders are poised to make a significant impact in ending violence against women and girls. This will in turn restore dignity and promote gender equality.
