Women journalists in Oyo State call for implementation of Violence Against Persons Law

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State chapter has called on the Oyo State government to do more towards enforcement and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Law 2020, as the World marks this year’s International Day for the elimination of violence against women.

Penpushing reports that  the association made the call in statement by the Secretary, Mrs. Stella Oyebamiji, which was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The  association said  it has observed that since the Violence Against Persons Law  was assented to by the Governor of the state, Engr Seyi Makinde, the implementation has started at the family court and it is working in the state.

Penpushing further reports that the women journalists called attention of the government to the increasing violation of women’s rights in the state, noting that  reports have shown across the world, nearly one in three women have been abused in their lifetime,

The body of female journalists pointed out  that in times of crisis, the numbers rises, as seen during the coronavirus pandemic and recent humanitarian crisis, conflicts and climate disasters.

Penpushing also reports that the association said that a new report from United Nations(UN), based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they  experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity.

“We also call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State; Ngozi Onadeko, a gender sensitive Commissioner of Police and the first female Commissioner of Police in the state to keenly continue to educate and encourage officers to give more attention to cases of gender based violence.”

“Oyo NAWOJ will continue sensitization and enlightenment of women and girls on their rights and the need to protect themselves from being violated. We wish to also caution women who may also be in the habit of provoking men to desist from doing so and promote peace wherever they find themselves in the country and beyond. We wish all women across the world a happy celebration and express optimism that violation against women and girls will reduce to its barest minimum in Oyo state’

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