The Delta State Government has stressed its commitment to enforce legislation and champion the fight against sexual and gender-related offences in the state.
The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Community and Social Development Princess Pat Ajudua, pledged Asaba, at a Symposium to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Reports said that the event was celebrated with the theme: Accelerating Action to End Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Leave No One Behind. Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Pat Ajudua said the government had organized the symposium for stakeholders to share experiences, and ideas and to evaluate the campaign to end gender-related violence in the state.
Hon. Ajudua noted, “More action is needed to ensure women in all spheres of life live free of violence of any form.”
Wife of the state Governor Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, in a message, noted the fight against sexual and gender-based violence was not for women alone, but one that requires multi-stakeholder intervention to address the problem.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Girl Child Development Orode Udughan, taxed parents to practice gender equality in the upbringing of children as the foundation for promoting a gender-friendly society.
Miss Udughan observed, “Girlchild is doing dishes and the boy is in the parlor playing PS5 and then we wonder why we have gender-based violence.”
The Guest Speaker at the symposium, Associate Professor of Law Ufuoma Awhefeada, spoke on perceived lapses in the statutes including the constitution, the penal code, and the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition, which violates the rights of women and girls.
she pointed ” The Constitution says… ‘Insofar as a woman is properly married, she is deemed to be of full age, whether she is ten years or not.
A former Member of the House of Representatives Ada Anioma Joan Onyemaechi, joined women professionals from the private and public sector and members of civil society organizations to call for an end to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
