Nigerian Women celebrate African Women’s Day, want violence against women stopped

Hundreds women in South-West of Nigeria on Monday stormed Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital to celebrate  African Women’s Day, with a  vehement call  for need to stop violence against women and girls.

Penpushing reports that, the rally was led by the Convener of Gender and Constitution Reform Network(GERCON) , Dr Abiola Afolabi-Akiyodeand the Ogun State Chairperson of the chapter, Mrs Peju Osoba.

The rally staged at the Governor’s Office, Ogun State House of Assembly located at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, as well as some major parts of the town was sponsored by Ford Foundation.

Penpushing reports the participants were seen with various placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop Violence Against Women and Girls”, Her body is her Rights”,’ Say no to Domestic Violence’, ‘Zip up , stop sexual harassment’ and ‘Rape is a criminal offence’ among others

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Funmi Efuwape while addressing the participants, which also include number of Non-Governmental Organisations(NGO’S) said women  should be encourage at all times to be in the forefront of development.

Penpushing further reports that, Efuwape  charged her counterparts to do away with running themselves down, rather should encourage each other to get to the top, stressing that, women should not be seen as competing with men, but rather complement their efforts.

The Commissioner assured that, Ogun State Government would always ensure that women’s rights are not tampered with, stressing that the government is readily available at all time in supporting women course.

Penpushing also reports that, Ogun State Speaker, Rt Hon Kunle Oluomo while addressing them at the assembly complex, pointed out that, the lawmakers are gender friendly and would do everything to support their course.

‘This House of Assembly is gender friendly. We take issue of women in high esteem, for the first time in assembly, we have four women lawmakers. As House of Assembly we shall continued to support women’, Oluomo emphasised.

Penpushing reports that, Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran in his own remarks, emphasised importance of women in nation building, adding that there is always need to unlock potentials in women for way forward in the country.

The Commissioner make case for putting women in position of authority, adding that in the last meeting of the Attorney Generals in the South West, the issue of gender was religiously addressed, stressing that they have all agreed to address violence of women’s rights

Penpushing further reports that, the group took time in presenting  their position papers on the rights of women I to the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Attorney-General  and Commissioner of Justice and Speaker House of Assembly.

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