From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Commissioner for Youths and Gender Issues, Mr. Andrew Emwanta, yesterday said the Edo State Government has secured the conviction of 39 suspects of gender based violence , while over 200 cases are still pending in court.
Emwanta, who made the declaration at the Press Centre of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Benin City at a walk to commence a 16-Day activism in commemoration of the 2022 “International Day For The Elimination of Violence Against Women” with the theme “Unite! Activism To End Violence Against Women And Girls”, said the state government is the only state with Sex Offenders Register in Nigeria.
He said that the state does not tolerate any form of gender based violence. “It is a thing of joy to be here to relate to the media which is the fourth estate of the realm.
“The executive has done its part by sponsoring the bill against gender based violence, the legislature, which is the second estate of the realm, has done its own by passing it into law.
“The third estate of the realm, which is the judiciary, has also tried by convicting about 39 offenders. We are here to tell journalists that as the fourth estate of the realm, we are partners in making Edo State free from any form of gender based violence.
“There is also the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) which is a one-stop Centre for responding to Survivors of GBV, through the provision of medical services, police services, psychosocial support/counseling and legal services.” He said.
Reacting, the Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, said the council is part of the battle against gender based violence, and urged that a committee be set-up to see that widows in the state will not be physically or emotionally violated after losing their husbands.
Earlier, Mrs. J.I. Ihensekhien, a Director in the state ministry of Youths and Gender Issues, said the 16-Day ”Activism To End Violence Against Women And Girls”, is to restate the fact that the Edo State government does not tolerate gender violence and that anyone caught will go to jail.
The United Nations on 7 February 2000, through the General Assembly adopts resolution 54/134, officially designating 25” November as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women