Community stakeholders gathered in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to address the pressing issue of sexual and gender-based violence.
The town hall meeting, organised by the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), brought together religious and traditional leaders to find solutions to this menace.
It had the theme: ‘Partnership for enhanced violence against women and girls prevention among religious and traditional stakeholders in Ogun State’.
Secretary, Ogun State Council for Islamic Affairs, Dr Salami Fatai, advised muslim leaders to take interest and create space for their members to confide in them and give them appropriate counsel.
He pledged to embark on capacity building for women and training for muslim religious leaders.
Apostle Tola Adenekan of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Chapel of Faith Abeokuta stressed the need to hand abusers to the authorities, adding that Christianity is built on love and peace and does support violence in marriages.
A community leader, Alhaji Adesina Adefolaran, called for the protection of the female child, warning parents whose children hawk or sell their wares to stop the practice.
He urged neighbours to be whistle-blowers against the exploitation of house helps.
Adefolaran emphasised the importance of breaking the culture of silence and ignoring the popular sentiment of staying for the children in an abusive marriage.
The meeting yielded key commitments, including promoting awareness of government support services and empowering women to be financially independent, among other initiatives.
