By Kemi Olatunde

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Following incessant cases of gender violence and abuse in the society, the United Nations Population Fund (Sexual Reproductive Health Agency of UN) in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency have organised a three -day training programme for Medical personnel and social providers.
The training with the theme: “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Gender Base Violence survivors in Ondo State” drawn participants from Social workers from Idanre, Akure South, Akure North , Ifedore Local Governments, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mother and Child Hospital as well as Ondo State University of Medical Science (UNIMED), Akure complex.
Speaking at the programme, the Permanent Secretary , Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu described the training has apt due to incessant ongoing cases of violence ranging from domestic violence, social violence, sexual assault and mental illness in the society.
He noted that survivors of these menace need social and mental supports to be able to fit into the society after their bitter experiences, hence the need to train social workers and medical personnel on how to counsel the victims.
However, he expressed appreciation to the first lady of Ondo State, Arabinrin Betty Ayanwu Akeredolu for her disposition and support in ending social violence in the state.
Also speaking the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Foluke Tunde Daramola explained that the ministry is deeply concerned with reported cases of violence noting that this necessitated the collaboration with relevance agencies to train social workers and medical personnel on modalities to attend to victims
Daramola who said it was the duty of the participants to integrate the victims into the society urged them to be attentive at the training and used the knowledge to impact the society.
In her speech , the Gender /Reproductive Health Analyst UNFPA Dr( Mrs)Esther Somefun said UNFPA has zero tolerance for gender based violence which according to her violates a number of human. rights protected by international instruments and conventions.
Mrs Somefun said although it was under reported, one in three women have experienced gender based violence without access to psychosocial support and counseling service.