Westminster Foundation for Democracy(WFD) in collaboration with the Ondo State government on Thursday 4th August, 2022 convened assembly of different agencies and stakeholders to map out strategies on how to sensitise students, teachers and parents on Violence Against Person(Prohibition), VAPP, law in Ondo State.
In an address, Special Adviser (Gender) to the governor, Chief (Mrs) Olamide Falana said the intervention by WFD was timely, noting that there are gaps in prevention of violence and there was a sharp increase in gender-based violence.
The SA explained that the support WFD is giving is to reach out to youths via school, mobile application and other measures.
Falana sought collaborative synergy with parents, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders to make implementation of VAPP a reality.
The country representative of the Foundation, Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, stated at a workshop the Foundation organised in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the aim of the Foundation is making schools safe for the students.
He said the awareness being created is aimed at exposing students, teachers and parents to the contents of the VAPP law and understand same in case their violated.
According to him, “Through the implementation of a Global Equality Project (GEP), funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), this project will support the development of a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy aimed at making school environments safe for learning and devoid of all forms of violations.
“According to statistics, one of four girls and one of ten boys experience violation before their 18th birthday. Moreover, the recent spate of violations recorded in schools across the country demands proactive steps in ensuring that schools become safe for children.
“Importantly, this implementation will ensure that no one, including school-age children, are left behind in the implementation of Ondo State VAAP Act.”
The Executive Secretary, Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), Barrister Bolanle Ogunbadegbe disclosed that the agency has a very low implementation of VAPP law in the state due to poor enlightenment.
She explained that the VAPP was aimed at ensuring elimination and prohibition of all manner of violence. VAPP is also aimed at protecting spouses from violence.
The Programme Manager of WFD, Olusola Folayan disclosed that the Foundation is creating awareness around the existing law at the grassroots level to improve public awareness of VAPP.
She revealed that gender-based violence has gone down drastically in Akoko West Local Government Area and Ilaje Local Government Area.
According to her, WFD has trained health workers on what they should do to help victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Centres where victims could get help and health assistance immediately have been put in place by the Foundation.
