By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN — In a robust push to dismantle structural bottlenecks and combat gender-based violence (GBV), the Family Counseling Centre, a Focal Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Response Team held an advocacy Meeting with the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Response Team of the Gender Department at the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to foster a lasting solution to the crisis in the state.
The meeting, initiated under the community-led monitoring program, funded by the Global Fund and implemented through the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), brought to light critical systemic challenges and charted a collaborative path forward.
The Program Officer for the Family Counselling Centre, Oluwadamilola Ogunkunle while speaking on the sidelines of the advocacy meeting, detailed the core issues emerging from grassroots monitoring.
Oluwadamilola while acknowledging the state’s willingness to partner with civil society organizations, emphasized that deep-rooted cultural norms, illiteracy and unemployment, and other socio-cultural barriers continue to stifle justice and reporting.
She further added that access to funding contributed to the crisis, noting that the State Gender-Office Desk Officer— led by Barrister Ifeoluwa Ogunremi operates under immense financial constraint.
“Despite functioning as a major agency, the office lacks proper governmental funding, with personnel frequently relying on personal out-of-pocket funds to keep operations afloat. “ she said.
Furthermore, Ogunkunle highlighted the deplorable condition of existing emergency shelters designated for extreme survivors, noting that infrastructural decay severely undermines rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
However, the meeting climaxed with the FCC urging the state government to increase Mass Sensitization of the public on GBV, increase economic empowerment for women, review budgetary allocations, especially to agencies and parastatals handling this case, and Infrastructure Overhaul to cater for victims.
The Gender team at the meeting moreover expressed optimism that shared commitment and collaboration between grassroots monitors and state authorities, leaving stakeholders will bridge the gap between policy and protection for vulnerable citizens in Oyo State.
