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| Gov Ambode |
Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says the horrific and unacceptable level of
gender-based violence contributes greatly to economic losses in the country.
Ambode,
represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, made the observation, Thursday,
at a conference organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty
Alleviation (WAPA), in Lagos.
The theme of
the conference was ‘Fostering Domestic Harmony and Entrepreneurship in the 21st
Century’.
The governor
said that when losses to gender-based violence increase, growth is affected.
“When women
are economically empowered, not only are they fulfilled, our economies grow.
“Increase in
female labour force results in faster economic growth.
“This is
why, in the last two years, this administration has remained steadfast in
implementing policies aimed at addressing women issues such as domestic
violence, sexual abuse and economic empowerment.
“’We owe it
as a duty to continue to educate the public on the negative impacts of gender-based
violence to the home, the community and the country at large,” Ambode said.
In her
address, wife of the governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, urged the public to break
the culture of silence by speaking out toward eliminating domestic violence and
gender-based discrimination in the society.
She also
called for collaborative efforts to support vulnerable women and children to
make them self reliant.
Sen. Oluremi
Tinubu, wife of All Progressives Congress chieftain, Sen. Bola Tinubu, decried
the high rate of domestic violence against vulnerable women and children.
She said
that enforcement of laws against the menace should be intensified to curb the
scourge.
Tinubu urged
parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, especially the male, so
they would not grow up to perpetrate violence and abuse.
Also
speaking, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade,
promised that the judiciary would continue to ensure prompt dispensation of
justice in issues of violence against women and children.
In her
remarks, Mrs. Lola Akande, Commissioner, WAPA, said the ministry organised the
programme because it recognised that knowledge was key to everyday human
endeavours.
“This
conference brought together experts and experienced women to share their
experiences about issues of gender inequality in our society.
“They will
provide strategies for protecting and safeguarding women who are victims of
domestic violence and how best to help such women through economic
empowerment,’’ she said.
Akande
called for intensified public awareness toward eliminating all forms of
violence and fostering domestic harmony in the society.
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