By Patrick Ochei
Delta State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development has launched the Action Plan for the Prevention of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the State.
The launching which was overseen by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, ably represented by the Secretary to State Government Dr. Kingsley Emu, took place at the Government House, Asaba, during the High Level Multi Stakeholders Engagement on Gender Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Action Plan.
According to the Governor who underscored the debilitating nature and devastating effect of GBV as a global scourge, insisted that laws must be punitive and severe on perpetrators in order to fight and curtail the menace.
He said the launch is beyond a mere policy document but a living road map that will guide and enable the State Government and her collaborative partners to fight the scourge from the standpoint of the law.
While acknowledging the pain of women in this whole GBV saga, the Governor also noted that men even go through much more violence, but mostly in silence.
However, he proffered that the solution to the issues of GBV must be anchored on education, specifically the education of the girl-child and women; adding that all stereotypes affecting the recognition of equal rights and opportunities for male and female children must be broken.
His words, “If you want to build a nation, develop a woman. We must pay attention to the education of the girl-child and woman as a basis for the elimination of the root causes of GBV. Women and families must rise to the challenge of GBV by ensuring that every child has equal rights and all stereotypes affecting the fulfillment of purpose by women are broken.
“The God given uniqueness and potential of women must not be a disadvantage to the society. Therefore, we must scale up all structures to build a resilient system that ensures the elimination and prevention of GBV. I beseech all of us as stakeholders, to rise with renewed determination and vigour to translate this Action Plan into reality”, the Governor affirmed.
Earlier in her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua had posited that the ceremony was not just a ceremonial launch, but a strategic turning point, a defining moment in the State’s journey toward building a society that is safe, inclusive and just for all, especially for women and girls who have suffered in silence under the weight of Gender Based Violence.
She said, “As we are all aware, Gender Based Violence is a global pandemic, but here in Delta State, we are collectively saying ‘No more’. No more silence. No more stigma. No more impunity. We are standing together today to say that enough is enough”, she affirmed.
For the House Committee Chairman on Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support and Girl-Child Entrepreneurship, who is the member representing Oshimili South Constituency, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, she averred that victory is always sure if all stakeholders worked collaboratively to prevent and end GBV in the State, adding that the State should take ownership of its own Action Plan for the elimination of GBV from Delta society.
Furthermore, stakeholders ranging from traditional institutions, religious and faith based organisations, security agencies, civil service, civil society organizations, persons living with disability and others were given opportunities to give their goodwill messages in support of the landmark Action Plan, which was stemmed from years of efforts and backed by the UN Women. These efforts will also quicken the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, which was domesticated in the State to hold perpetrators to account and bring justice to victims.
