By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The National Human Rights Commission has marked the Human Rights day with a walk across the Ekiti State capital in its fight against gender based violence in the state.
The walk which was led by the wife of the Ekiti state Governor Mrs Olayemi Oyebanji and the deputy Governor of the state Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye took off at the Adunni Olayinka complex Fajuyi Ado Ekiti.
The State coordinator of NHRC Sodeinde Oluwaponmile told journalists that the 16 days activism and sensitization is to raise awareness on gender violence which also marks International Human rights day.
According to him, the commission has carried out advocating visits across the state by engaging stakeholders,partners and the general populace to orientate the people on the need to curb and possibly stop violence against woman and the girl child.
He said; Women and the girl child are the vulnerables in the society and so we place attention more on them. They should be placed on the same pedestal with the men and allowed to thrive in the society, we should allow women take the lead as well”.
In the same vein, the Public Affairs Officer of the commission Mr. Babalola stephen said the walk is neccessary to create awareness amongst the people of their fundamental human rights and that of every girl in the society.
He maintained that while the women constitute a very high number in the society they unfortunately at risk of getting raped,abused,forced prostitution, trafficking and other social vices.
” This sensitization is geared at orientating and re -orientating the general public that women are not to be abused in any form and to let them know the provisions of the law towards gender based violations .
The Human rights commission is also saddled with the power to intervene in any human rights violations especially against women and once such case is established the commission will do the needful under the ambience of the law ” he concluded.
The procession thereafter took off from the office of the wife of the governor to and went round the state capital with banners and customized shirts to mark the human rights day.
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