AIYEDATIWA’S AIDE ON GENDER MATTERS, OLAMIDE FALANA FROWNS AT BULLYING OF FEMALE TRICYCLE ‘KEKE’ RIDER
The attention of Ondo State Government has been drawn to the occurrence of female gender workplace bullying in the transport sector and has warned that such cases shall not be trivialized but rather severe consequences under the law shall be meted on those exposed of such acts.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Matters, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana disclosed this while speaking to news men following the recent report to the office concerning a female tricycle keke Napep driver who was seriously assaulted by her male counterpart in Akure.
Falana stated that although the case is still being investigated, it has to be emphasized that women like men, deserve to be in a positive work environment so as to enable them thrive and achieve profit maximization in their businesses.
“It should be noted that there is a rising number of female keke Napep drivers in Akure metropolis; these women are courageous enough to take up the job not by means of competition for the men, but solely as a means of survival”
“Investigation revealed that other female tricyclist face such high level of hostility, discrimination, bullying and sometimes violence from their male counterparts in their quest to earn decent livelihood for themselves and their children”
“The least the male counterparts can do is to encourage them by making the transport space a safe environment for them to carry out their business rather than inflict mental or physical abuse and series of other harrasments. We recognized that it exists and all bullies shall be purged. This behavior needs to stop now”. She said.
Chief Falana further stated that the Ondo State Government strongly frowns at any form of singular or group act that would jeopardize a cordial work space in the transport sector between males and females.
The Special Adviser called on the coordinators of the tricycle riders task force and other concerned bodies to look into the need to establish clear policies and guidelines against bullying so other women hoping to start the job can do so without fear or agitation.
Chief Falana maintained that, the Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa unequivocally wishes that citizens in the state live and work in an atmosphere that will engender peaceful coexistence at all times.
Adding that the Governor is committed to support women in achieving their full potentials in an environment of gender equality hence bullying, physical assault and other forms of gender based violence in workplace will be duly prosecuted with punishments as stipulated in the Ondo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) 2021.
Debbie Funmilayo
Press Officer (Office of Gender Matters)
