The Ekiti State government has intensified efforts to fight gender-based violence (GBV), by rallying support from local stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government authorities, civil society, and the public.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Friday during the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on gender-based violence, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, expressed concern over the rising cases of rape, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, and other forms of violence.
The workshop was organized by the Office of the Ekiti State First Lady, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
Afuye emphasized the urgent need for collective action to curb the menace, which has caused widespread harm in families and communities.
“Gender-based violence has shattered dreams and claimed lives. It is a societal plague that we must fight collectively to bring to an end,” she stated.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, also stressed the importance of unified efforts to combat GBV. Represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, she called for policies and actions to reshape public
attitudes and bring meaningful change. “GBV is not just a violation of human rights; it is a societal menace that threatens the safety and progress of our communities,” she said.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), reiterated the state’s commitment to prosecuting GBV offenders swiftly. “In the last year, we secured 24 convictions out of 30 cases related to gender-based violence,” he revealed.
