A clarion call has been made to parents and guardians to desist from female genital mutilation (FGM) and protect their wards from abuse.
This call was made during the 16 Days of Activism against Acts of Violence and Traditional Harmful Practices against Gender, held at Bodija International Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Otun Iyaloja Bodija International Foodstuff Market, Alhaja R.O. Oyebamiji, expressed sadness over the sexual abuse of a minor by an okada rider, attributing the incident to negligence on the part of the mother. She pledged her support for the eradication of FGM, describing it as a “disastrous and barbaric practice” with severe consequences.
Chairman Bodija Market, Mr Dauda Adegbenjo, who represented Babaloja Bodija, emphasised the need for government intervention to address poverty and support women and children. He urged the government to provide a safe and conducive environment for market women and their children.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, represented by S.P. Taiwo Akinsanya, advised mothers to be child-friendly. She also asked market women to shun every act of violence against humanity coming from perpetrators in the form of customers promising their girls a better life out there. Meanwhile, it is a failed greener pasture for the slave trade.
She further urged market leaders to provide a safe place, such as a daycare right inside the market, for nursing mothers and women to consider when selling or dealing with customers; leaving your child with a stranger is risky, either in the market or religious places.
The O.C. Gender Iyaganku, Mrs Ayenigbara Funke, shared her daily experiences of gender-based violence and noted that some victims might not leave to tell the story, cautioning everyone against the menace. She also disclosed how best to report incidents on time with undiluted evidence. “Report to the police station while police officers embark on their investigations.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, represented by Mr Olutoye Diya Ogunjimi, cautioned men and women against any act of violence according to VAPP Law.
Mr Olutoye, who discussed the 2024 theme, “No Excuse, Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” stated that IPAS and the Ministry of Health, along with other related partners, have also promised to assist survivors.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs promised a giant stride achievement in 2025, unifying to end FGM, say no to violence, say no to rape, say no to intimate personal violence and take proper care of our children.
NGOs, CSOs, trumpeters, and town criers who flooded the Bodija International Market on December 10, 2024, to promote gender equality initiatives and the total eradication of female genital mutilation contributed to the success of the 16-day activism organised by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health in collaboration with the Oyo State Government under the Host State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Mathan Arewa, from one of the famous NGOs, expressed dissatisfaction with the term “Almajeris,” which, according to her, means “a student, not a beggar.” While saying that calling those beggars Almajeris would not help the situation, she urged CCPRH to help provide lasting solutions to challenges and culturally violent acts.
She added that women should have access to education and work in their chosen fields.
Barr. Modupe Helen Awosemusi from the Ministry of Justice described unknown acts and attitudes that violate human rights under the Laws. She disclosed that rape is not the only gender-based violence, “but some cultural attitudes, uncared messages, even verbally, isolation of women from their families and relations, beating wives and children, restrictions from working, making children hawk or using them for batter trade (prostitution), letting them know. There are fines and penalties for all these, which include seven years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.
Members of staff of CCPRH, the Senior Programs Coordinator, Mrs Tolulope Babawarun, emphasised that parental care is a necessity; let us unite to end violence against women and girls.
Mrs Ifeoluwa from Saving Trust Justice Home said some women enjoyed being abused. She added that some men opined that the way some of the girls dressed made perpetrators rape them.
The event, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund and facilitated by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH), aimed to raise awareness about FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls.
Other speakers at the event, including representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, the Ministry of Justice, and non-governmental organisations, emphasised the need for collective action to eradicate FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls.
The event marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism, which began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
