Fight violence against women, girl-child, FIDA urged
By Adekola Afolabi
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The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has charged members and leadership of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to make their impacts felt across the country.
Akeredolu particularly challenged the group to always be at the forefront of advocacy of violence against women and girl child in the society.
Governor Akeredolu who called on the women Lawyers to address the menace of rape and other violence against women and the girl-child that have pervaded the society, also promised that his administration would continue to give priority to gender base issues for the betterment of the society.
The Governor spoke on Tuesday in his office while receiving members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) led by the state Chairperson, Catherine Ogunjebi.
While urging the group to be at the forefront of advocacy against rising cases of violence against women and the girl-child and other matters affecting women in the country, Akeredolu further encouraged them to get more people involved in their stakeholders’ engagement for more positive impacts.
“So, in stakeholders’ engagement, you have to rachet it up. I’m not saying you are not doing well but you have to rachet it up and it is you women that will fight for women and children. Be in the forefront and I’m sure you will make your impacts”, the Governor stressed.
He also advised them to participate in the activities of the Bar for their impacts to be more felt, just as he charged them to always attend conferences to develop themselves.
Present at the courtesy visit were the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Juliana Osadahun; Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaiye and Special Adviser on Gender, Olamide Falana.
Earlier, the state Chairperson of FIDA Catherine Ogunjebi, appreciated Governor Akeredolu for signing into law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) 2021, describing the development as a landmark victory for FIDA in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
She also briefed the Governor on the activities of the group and solicited his usual support to make more impacts in the society.