8th March, 2016
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has vowed to leave nothing to chance in ensuring that domestic violence against women and children stop in the state.
The governor spoke on Tuesday at the celebration of the International Women’s Day, IWD, at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Ambode said his administration had put measures in place that would ensure that women and the girl child were protected from sexual harassment and domestic assault in the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule said this was why the Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Rapid Response Team was established and that a few days ago, the state government began the campaign to end domestic violence against children in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF.
On the theme of the celebration, which is ‘Pledge for Parity’, Ambode stated that his administration had ensured parity and democratic governance in the state as the ratio of women participating in politics either through elective offices or appointment into public office was comparatively higher that what obtained a decade ago.
The governor added that the women in Lagos State would continue to be the backbone of the home as home makers, even while still contributing effectively to social development in Lagos.
Wife of the Governor, Bolanle Ambode, while speaking on the theme of the event, urged all present at the event, including women, to be sincere with their pledge for parity, saying that “we must not pay lip serve to the pledge; we must treat, engage and involve our children equally in house chores, decision making activities and business policies in our homes, schools, offices etc.
“The male and female genders should be trained and nurtured the same way in order to eradicate the age long stereotype belief that male gender is superior to his female counterpart. After all, it has been proven that what a man can do, a woman can do better,” she added.
Mrs Ambode said she was highly convinced that when there is parity of both sexes, there would be national development as individuals would perform on level playing ground.
“Each person will be given his/her due based on merit and competence, and not on biological composition or dispensation. The society will be rid of all forms of socio–cultural and religious practices and norms against women and girl–children such as early marriage, denial of girl-child education, genital mutilation amongst others,” she said.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Nike Akande, in her speech, said while the status of women had improved overtime, there was need for women to strive to arrive at equality with men in line with the theme of this year’s celebration, which is ‘Pledge for Parity’.
“We are celebrating tomorrow our socio-economic, socio-political and cultural achievements that we have attained so far which is in tune with the aims of IWD celebration being a day for the celebration of excellence, especially for women achievers; a day for reflection of progress made, a day for advocacy and action, a day to celebrate act of courage and day to encourage women to keep on advocating until the planet 50:50 agenda is attained,” she said.