The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has began empowering young women in the South-West geo-political zone on sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV, an official made this known.
WARDC’s Founding Director, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, disclosed this during a two-day event tagged “Workshop for Women Network Towards Ending Sexual and Girls-Based Violence in South-West Communities” held at University of Ibadan conference hall in Ibadan.
Akiyode-Afolabi said in order to end sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) there was the need for governments and corporate organisations to rise to the challenge.
She said they needed to contribute to the fight against sexual and gender based violence so as to change the narrative in the society.
“To ensure that we live through a culture of humanity, we have been responding to SGBV differently before now.
“Initially, it was by a protest, and from that we were able to achieve policy and now from policy, it is about implementation.
“It now means that all hands have to be on deck to make sure we have zero tolerance to SGBV, which is very critically important,” the director said.
Akiyode-Afolabi added that the programme was targeted at different stakeholders such as the traditional and religious institutions, agencies, as well as young women that could not make a change in the society.
Also, speaking at the occasion via zoom, the representative of Ford Foundation, Olufunke Baruwa, disclosed that one in three women experience SGBV.
She emphasised the need for change in our social norms which were inclined towards harmful practices and violence.
Baruwa, however, charged the participants to voice out, which was one of their power to end the culture of silence, blaming and stigmatisation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the participants from all the states in the South-West, while speaking at the event, lauded the organisers of the workshop.
One of the participants, Mrs Adeola Adewale from FIDA Ekiti, said the training had opened her eyes to some areas of laws governing the rights of women and girls on SGBV.
Also, Blessing Ede, a broadcast journalist, said there were lots of gender-based issues in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
She assured that she would use her platform to create more awareness, and ensure behavioural change and transformation.
Boluwatife Olowolaju, from Ondo State, said the programme has helped her understand issues concerning women and girls in the society and how to tackle them.
Maryjane Anyawu from Lagos said she earlier had no idea of issues in SGBV but the programme has now enlightened her and introduced her to laws guiding rights of women and girls.
Also, Precious Oyegunle from Osun said she has learnt about measures and limitations to eradicating SGBV advocacy in Nigeria.
Oyegunle said she planned to go back to her community and sensitise more people to tackle ignorance regarding the menace.
A participant from Ogun, Abosede Adegoke, pledged to be proactive in giving out correct information about SGBV anywhere she found herself.
Also, Motiloluwa Abiola from Oyo State said the training has equipped young women on eliminating all forms of SGBV in the South-West. (NAN)
