Gender Based violence now a global pandemic - Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday said Gender Based Violence (GBV) has become a global pandemic that must be tackled, with violence against girls and children being the most disturbing.

Fayemi, stated this while commissioning the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Moremi Clinic) at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital complex (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti.

“This Clinic will provide services for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases patients, provide forensic evidence to support legal process for diligent prosecution of GBV offenders, refer cases that are connected with sexual abuses, provide care for victims of rape, and psychosocial support and counselling for families.

“The governors’ forum had declared an emergency on GBV, because of its psycho social and emotional effects on our citizens and society. I charge all the health workers in Ekiti to reciprocate this gesture by rendering quality services to Ekiti people, especially victims of GBV”.

Also, the First Lady appealed to the GVB ambassadors to expand the scope of advocacy and sensitisation against violence for the fight to be more virulent in Ekiti.

“Through the Office of the Attorney-General, the Sex Offenders Register of 2013 was reactivated in 2019. In addition, Ekiti State now has a ‘Name and Shame’ policy which publishes the names and photographs of convicted sex offenders in the State.

 “The GBV Law of 2019 makes provision for a Survivors’ Fund. Since December 2018, this Fund has been used to assist at least 213 survivors with rebuilding their lives. Examples of assistance include renting accommodation, starting businesses, school fees and other needs as determined by survivors”.

The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ajibade Alabi, represented by Alare of Are Ekiti, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, stated that they have intensified sensitisation of their subjects and advising for refrain from rape, molestation and maltreatment of women.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, represented by the officer in charge of Legal Services, Mr. Femi Falade, said the policemen had been given marching orders to speedily prosecute whoever found engaging in rape and other GBV related crime.

The Ekiti SARC is a free, one-stop, survivor-centred initiative that prioritises the rights and needs of survivors of sexual violence.