By Peter Ayoade
The Nigeria Women in Education Network (NIWEN) in Oyo State, has condemned increasing incidents of violence against women in the country. The group tasked the National Assembly to promulgate laws on rape and gender equality.
The NIWEN, a wing of Oyo State Chapter Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), made this disclosure at a seminar it organised in Ibadan to educate the people on the prevalence rate of gender-based violence, which has become an household issue globally.
In the program which was held, State Chairperson of Oyo NIWEN, Comrade Moji Adeoye while giving her welcome address at the event, which was held at Teacher’s House, Oluyole Estate- Ibadan, said women and girls all over the world represent half of the world’s population and also the half of the global potential.
According to her, “gender-based violence against boys and girls is carefully chosen as the topic of the seminar to proffer lasting solutions to the series of socio-cultural attacks being directed toward women, girls and, of recent, boys in form of; physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence as well as economic violence”.
The first speaker at the occasion and the Oyo State NUT chairman, Comrade Adedoyin Samson Tojuade, in his paper presentation, stated that gender-based violence is an historical phenomenon that is deeply rooted in gender inequality which is a violent and hatred directed against women, girls and boys. He added that majority of the victims are women and girls.”
“Violence against women, girls and boys is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world today. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries which includes physical, verbal, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse,” he said.
He further encouraged the women and girls to participate in politics and preached equal rights for all in the rule of law.
Alhaja H.M Olawoyin who was the second speaker at the symposium said the cultural and social norms make men to be aggressive, powerful, unemotional and uncontrollable which contribute to a social acceptance of men as dominant.
“The socialization of both men and women has resulted in an unequal power relationship between men and women.
“Women and girls suffer higher incidences of this violence because of their subordinate status in the society.
“The effects of gender-based violence are far reaching, potential social responses are most effective when there is common understanding of the nature and causes and stringent laws should be passed by the appropriate quarters to curb the act”, she stated.
Comrade M. A. Adediran who spoke on the economic and educational drawback of gender-based violence against women in the school and the nation at large emphasized that rape and and gender violence is a global issue that is giving Nigeria sleepless nights.
The speakers urged the National Assembly to promulgate a law on rape and gender equality in Nigeria.
