By Maria Famakinwa

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Barely two months after signing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA), into law in Ondo State by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and consequently the inauguration of the Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, (OSAA-GBV), a Strategic Plan Development workshop, aimed at determining approaches and policies towards achieving a free GBV State has commenced.
The office of Ondo First Lady, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs organised a-four day Stakeholders meeting in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Akure, the state capital.
Declaring the workshop opened, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was optimistic that upon the conclusion of the programme, a world-class standard would have been set for smooth operation of OSAA-GBV which would serve as a model for other states.
She assured members of OSAA-GBV of government’s readiness to provide necessary support for the agency; while identifying lack of fund as a major problem needed to be tackled in order for the agency to achieve its vision statement.
Tarabinrin Akeredolu brainstormed with Stakeholders and Facilitators to arrive at vision and mission statements for the Agency, including identification of factors that exacerbate GBV, and progress made in stemming it in Ondo State.
Tariah Adams, a Strategic Consultant from TRESCORP Global Resources, who presented a paper on Gender-Based Violence, its types, impacts, and factors that exacerbate it; including the progress made so far in Ondo State, hinted that one in every three women experienced GBV in Nigeria.
She added that 20 percent females between 15-49years had undergone SGBV, 27 percent of school girls in Ondo State confessed to have been pressurized sexually by their teachers, while 79 percent girls said they were harassed by their male classmates.
She identified factors that exacerbate GBV to include, weak and non-existent policy and legal framework and their implementation; existing discriminatory laws and policies that repressed the right of women, and socio-cultural practices, among others.
Commending the efforts of the state government in the fight against GBV, Adams highlighted some achievements recorded by Akeredolu-led administration to include signing VAPPA into law, setting up the OSAA-GBV, and functional emergency centre with a toll free numbers for victims to contact.
Earlier, Mr Tonte Ibraye who analysed the expectations of the workshop, commended Ondo First Lady for championing the fight against GBV and for her numerous initiatives towards achieving a GBV-free state, while describing her as a passionate woman who doesn’t take the issues of women, girls and other vulnerable groups, with levity.
Stakeholders at the event includes Representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, National Council of Women Societies, Federation of Female Lawyers, Ministry of Women Affairs, Foundation of Wives of Ondo State Government Officials, Civil Societies in the fight against GBV, and Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu Foundation.