The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Osun State chapter, has called on governments and stakeholders to unite in ending Gender Based Violence, GBV, against women and girls.
The association, which advocated an end to impunity by perpetrators of GBV, also urged members of the public to invest in women and girls.
NAWOJ also called on governments and organisations to promote the welfare of women and girls and to adopt, implement and fund national action plans.
This call was made in a statement jointly signed by the Osun NAWOJ Chairperson, Abisola Ariwodola, and the Secretary, Oluwaranti Ojewumi.
NAWOJ through the statement pointed out the violence women and girls encountered daily and frowned at the prevalent rate of abuse that girls were exposed to from childhood to adolescent age.
NAWOJ also frowned at the rate of cycle of GBV on women by their husbands, predators, and relatives adding that some even got killed in the process.
“We maintain that violence against women and girls can be prevented. We call on stakeholders to improve their support of women and girls and urge the government to activate and utilise fully, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Law in the state.
“Ending gender-based violence against women and girls is possible. Therefore we call on everyone to UNITE and end this menace against women and girls.
“We hereby caution perpetrators of gender based violence to desist from the act, they must also note that the government of Osun state is no more supporting such evil against the female gender.
“Ending Gender Based Violence is not a one of call, but a continuous one, till it is totally eradicated in favor of women and girls,” it said.
NAWOJ also commended the Osun State Government for approving the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs Children and Social Welfare to totally support women and girls, and for putting up programmes and preventive policies and measures in their favour.
16 Days activism on GBV: Osun NAWOJ urges govt, stakeholders to unite, end impunity