EKSG launches war against rapists
By Victor Akinkuolie
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The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has lamented the increasing incidences of sexual and domestic violence against women in the state saying they are becoming worrisome .
Mrs. Fayemi spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held to eliminate and combat gender based violence against women in Ekiti State, organised by the state Ministry of Justice.
She hinted that government was saddened that in spite of the existing laws prohibiting gender based violence, Ekiti continues to witness issues of rape, defilement and human trafficking .
She disclosed that what accounted for the increase was the non- implementation of the gender based violence prohibition law , child rights law, equal opportunities law and other legislations put in place by her husband, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and other laws that were not properly implemented by the immediate past government in the state.
Mrs Fayemi said the three key areas that needed to be examined by stakeholders include the causes of gender based violence , how to use legal framework to resolve some of the issues revolving around this scourge and how to break the culture of silence among victims.
In his remarks at the event, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, said the programme is part of the activities of the present administration in Ekiti state to curb the reported cases of other violent rape and child defilement.
He reiterated the readiness of the state government to go all out to prevent the state from being tagged a thriving land for violence against women and the girl- child.
On her own, an Appeal Court Judge, Justice Uzor Ndukwe- Anyanwu, expressed worries over the rampancy of violence against women in Ekiti.
She added that the issue has always been an issue of interest to the Nigerian All Female Judges Association, particularly how to resolve the problem and make women safe wherever they go.
“Ekiti has this as a big problem. I am worried that we have it in this proportion. It is not something cultural as people want us to believe”.
Police Commissioner, Ekiti Command, Mr. Asuquo Amba, said any person defiled must pass through medical examination for the police to have proof to prefer charges against offenders.
Amba, represented by the officer in charge of Legal Department , SP Femi Falade , advised that government should direct all public hospitals to offer free medical services to victims to prevent them from being made to pay for medical treatments , even while in emotional trouble.
