By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Various women’s organisations in Ondo State have strongly condemned the alleged attack on the Ilaje Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Mrs. Toyin Ogungbure, describing the incident as barbaric and uncalled for.

The executives of the women’s organisations, which include the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), women-led NGOs, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and others, visited the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSAA-GBV) in Akure to register their displeasure.

They called on the three tiers of government in the state, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to rise against the heinous act and ensure justice for the victim.

According to them, starting from Monday next week, women’s groups will protest en masse across the 18 local governments to demonstrate their opposition to the attack.

The President of the women-led NGOs in the state, Ambassador Folake Esan, said that all the women had gathered to say no to violence against women, stressing that the attack on Mrs. Ogungbure is an unacceptable development.

She stated that political leaders in all parties must call their supporters to order, while traditional rulers, as custodians of culture, should instruct their communities to end violence, especially against women.

“Ondo State women say no to this. We don’t want it in our society. Women should have a place at the table of decision-making. Women are the heartbeat of the nation; we are priceless, so we should be allowed to breathe. Nobody should wage war against us. Both genders should take decisions together without intimidation. We have laws prohibiting this, and the culprits must be brought to justice, or women will fight back. And when women fight, it’s like fire.”

The State Secretary of NCWS, Mrs. Kehinde Olabisi, while corroborating her statement, noted that violence against women is extremely serious and called on the government at all levels to come to their aid.

She recalled how a former commissioner was beaten and nothing was done, stating that advanced countries have given women the opportunity to develop and even lead, and thus, Nigeria should allow women to operate freely.

The FOMWAN representative also emphasised that justice must be served to those who humiliate women. She added that women, as the weaker vessel, should be treated with care and respect, and should not be relegated or discouraged.

Responding, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Gender Matters, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana, affirmed that the state has ‘zero tolerance’ for any form of gender-based violence and that any offender will be dealt with accordingly, as stipulated in the Ondo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) of 2021.

Additionally, the Secretary of OSAA-GBV, Barrister Mrs. Bolanle Afolabi, noted that the state government vehemently opposes gender-based violence in any form, and its laws are designed to punish anyone found culpable. She stated that section 24 of the law provides for the conviction of anyone involved in such acts, with a sentence of five years’ imprisonment.