..Warns Against Abuse of Schoolgirls
By Gbenga Sodeinde
The First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has disclosed that victims of sexual assault in neighbouring states now come to the Land of Honour to access treatment available at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Erelu Fayemi said the construction and equipment of the Centre, otherwise known as Moremi Clinic, with facilities and professionals to give services to victims was one of the legacy projects of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi Administration.
Speaking on a Yoruba public accountability programme, S’ETIGBO, which was broadcast simultaneously on six radio stations in the state on Tuesday, Erelu Fayemi disclosed that apart from the host state, Ekiti, sexual assault victims come from Kwara, Osun and Ondo States to benefit from services provided at the Centre.
The First Lady explained that sexual assault victims are treated free of charge at the Centre and also enjoy free psychological and legal services in a bid to ensure that they get justice against their violators.
She said: “A rape victim should go to the Centre and be treated and for the person to be counselled, they will be confidentially treated. People come from Ondo, Osun and Kwara to be treated there and we also ensure that perpetrators are traced for them to be prosecuted.”
Speaking on the Keep Girls in School initiative, Erelu Fayemi said it was aimed at reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancy which is prevalent among girls of school age who are supposed to be pursuing their education to become successful and responsible individuals in the future.
While noting that about five schoolgirls who were pregnant have been taken care of under the scheme and have since resumed their studies, the Governor’s wife urged parents and guardians to take more care of their wards to prevent them from falling victims.
She said: “I discovered that in my journeys round the state, I used to see teenage girls who were supposed to be in schools with babies. I also see them at antenatal clinics anytime I go to distribute gifts to antenatal women.
“I see teenage girls also coming to hospitals for antenatal care. These girls are supposed to be in their schools, some of them were impregnated by okada riders, gatemen, fellow students and even teachers.
“It is very sad that for any of the girls impregnated, that is where their education will stop and those who impregnated them will move on and some of those responsible for such pregnancies will continue their education and become great in the future.
“That is why we are working hard to stop the incidence for our girls to have equal access to their studies like boys. In fact, teachers should desist from inviting schoolgirls to their houses to come and do house chores for them.
“About five girls who got pregnant in the course of their studies have been taken care of.”
Erelu Fayemi explained that policy framework and legislations have been put in place to reduce the incidence of gender based violence, abuse of women and children and to give political and economic empowerment to the womenfolk in the state during the first and second administrations of Governor Fayemi.
These, according to her, include
Gender Based Violence Law, Equal Opportunities Law, HIV Anti-Stigma Law, Treatment, Care and Protection Law for Sexually Abused Minors and Gender Composition Law which affirm 35 per cent representation for women in political positions.
She explained that awareness of legislations against violation of the rights of women and children have increased with the prosecution of many offenders for rape, defilement of minors, domestic violence, among others.
The First Lady noted that the Obirin Kete Cooperative Scheme set up in all the local government areas of the state has provided 3,544 poor women with access to credit facilities to boost their businesses while also serving as a platform for a virile political participation for women.
She disclosed that more women were elected into political positions in the last local government elections in the state as three (3) of them were elected as chairpersons, fourteen (14) as vice chairpersons and forty three(43) as councillors.
Erelu Fayemi said Ekiti now has a woman, Mrs. Peju Babafemi as the Head of Service, for the first time in history while the House of Assembly also has four female lawmakers who were elected at the last general elections.
The Governor’s wife revealed that over 1,000 aged persons benefit from a food support programme known as “Ounje Arugbo” in all the local government areas of the state to give them succour.
Erelu Fayemi added that a 208-bed Shelter and Vocational Centre for Women and Children in Distress has also been put in place to provide a temporary abode and skills acquisition platform for victims chased away from their homes.
The First Lady said the state government also established a Gender Based Violence Survivors Fund to assist victims to resettle and live a normal life. She advocated a stoppage to violence against women and children in the state.
The simulcast was aired by Ayoba 95.1 FM, Ekiti 91.5 FM, Our People’s 94.1 FM, New Cruse 92.7 FM, Progress 100.5 FM and Voice 89.9 FM.