By Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku
Benin City, Nigeria – Society for Awareness and Family Initiative (SAFI), has held awareness programs on Violence Against Persons Prohibition, for women in Utagban community in Edo State, with a resolve to combat menace.
SAFI executive director, Obode Inosezilo said that there are concerted efforts in place in Edo State to ensure that there are legal frameworks to address abuse and violence against women and girls.
“Edo State is no safer for persons who take pleasure in meting out violence against others on the grounds of their gender differences”.
Mrs. Eseosa Onebamoi who represented the Director, Gender Issues in the former State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues said that nothing will be left to chance in the effort of her ministry to address the factors that promote instances of gender-based violence, irrespective of how age-long or traditional they might seem.
“We have the backings of our Traditional Institutions in this campaign to end GBV”’, Onebamoi said.
The Resource person/facilitator at the sensitization and awareness program, Barrister Uwa Edegbe, told over 50 women present at the awareness seminar that passage of the VAPP Law in Edo State will go a long way to address the menace of violence against persons.
Inosezilo said that in addition to sensitization programs, SAFI has trained a total of 70 women across Utagban, Evbonagbon and Agbodo communities on the production of Liquid Soap, Hair Cream, Hot Rub and Dusting powder for the women to be able to use the skills Acquisition in making revenue for themselves and households.
SAFI is supported by the EU-ACT/British Council programme under the ‘Reducing Gender Based Violence on vulnerable women through Awareness and Support Services in Edo South Senatorial District in Edo State’. Implementing partners include Idia Renaissance (IR), Society For Awareness and Family Initiative (SAFI), Christabel Otueroro Foundation (COF) and Smile Africa International Youth Development Initiative (SAIYDI).
