From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State Gender-based Violence Management Committee, yesterday, reaffirmed its resolve to involve all stakeholders in a collective and continuous effort in the fight against gender-based violence throughout the year 2023.
The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who is the chairperson of the committee, reaffirmed this commitment at a stakeholder workshop on tackling gender-based violence with the theme: “Beyond 16 Days of Activism – 365 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Edo State” put together by the Edo State Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues and the German Organisation GIZ in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
She said the government had institutionalized a number of policies to sustain the fight against gender-based violence in the state. This, according to her, includes continuous media sensitization, her Sports Advocacy Initiative – The Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, the gender-based violence advocacy film “We Will Not Be Silent” and the quarterly Edo State Gender-based Violence Management Committee review meetings, among others.
She reaffirmed the resolve of the committee to punish every offender irrespective of how highly placed in the society, adding that anyone who threatens her committee members, solicits pardon for suspects or tries to withdraw a case of gender-based violence is perverting justice and will be charged with compounding felony as enshrined in the amended Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
While delivering his goodwill message at the event, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, appealed to traditional rulers to help in dealing with gender-based violence in rural areas, adding that whoever was found culpable would be punished under the provisions of the VAPP Law.