The Ondo State Government has reiterated its commitment to tackling gender-based violence (GBV), including physical assault, battering, and emotional abuse, particularly against women and vulnerable groups in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, made this known during a mediation session at the Women Special Gender Unit of A Division Police Station, Akure, where cases involving physical assault were resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
One of the cases involved a 28-year-old woman, Dada Afeez, who was reportedly assaulted on the instruction of her aunt, Mrs. Mary Shola, in the Yaba area of Ondo town. The assault was allegedly triggered by Afeez’s failure to clean a gas cooker. Dr. Osamaye condemned the incident, describing it as an act of cruelty. Mrs. Shola, who pleaded for forgiveness along with her family, was made to sign a written undertaking never to repeat the offense.
In a supportive move, Dr. Osamaye provided financial assistance to Dada Afeez to enable her to start a petty trade and support her children.
In a separate incident, a widow and Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in Akure alleged that she was physically assaulted by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a disagreement with one of the union’s officers. The widow claimed that the officer called in others to join in the assault. Dr. Osamaye mediated the dispute and criticized the attackers for taking the law into their own hands. She urged the parties to maintain peace and resolve disputes without violence.
Dr. Osamaye emphasized that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration would not tolerate any form of gender-based violence and would ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted.
She also commended the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSSAGBV), Barr. Mrs. Bolanle Afolabi, for her prompt intervention in cases of abuse. According to Afolabi, the agency handled 22 cases of domestic violence, three cases of spousal abandonment, and eight child welfare matters in April. She added that two rape cases are currently in court.
Afolabi noted that victim withdrawal from ongoing cases remains a major challenge in achieving justice, and she called on the public to support efforts to end gender-based violence in the state.
