Ogun Assembly vows legislative backing against gender violence

The Ogun State House of Assembly has restated its commitment to lawmaking efforts to combat rising gender-based violence in the state.

The assembly also promised to protect women and aid the economic empowerment of the vulnerable in society.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Daisi Elemide, stated this in Abeokuta, on Monday, at a parliamentary dialogue on gender-based violence, gender mainstreaming and diversity, equity and inclusion legislative framework.

The dialogue was organised by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre.

The Speaker said the assembly was ready to support every legal framework that would allow women and other vulnerable groups in society to contribute to the economic growth of the country.

He said “The Ogun State House of Assembly is a big supporter of he for she.

“For instance, the very first day the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (Establishment) Bill was brought (last week Friday) was the day it passed the first reading.

“So, we are with the women all the way to give you all the necessary legislative support and backing.

“Women must, therefore, not relent, you must keep pushing to have what rightfully belongs to you. You must know that power is not served al acarte but taken and so you must never be tired or grow weary.”

Welcoming the participants to the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adeleye, said the parliamentary dialogue provided a platform to discuss critical issues that could help in nurturing a society where those with special needs and minority groups could thrive.

Adeleye stated that gender-based violence, discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and child abuse were not just social concerns but had become economic issues, public health crises, and a silent pandemic-threatening development.

She said, “When a child is molested or a woman is silenced, a generation loses its voice. When survivors cannot access justice, we all become part of that silence.

The real perpetrators don’t carry placard , they hide behind our silence, our inaction, and the loopholes in our systems. Today’s dialogue is our chance to close those gaps permanently.”

The commissioner called for the implementation of all the relevant laws to fight gender-based violence and protect the vulnerable in society.

She said the non-enforcement of the laws would always stand in between matching actions with intentions.

She said the proposed DEI Commission Bill, with its 45 sections, aims to establish a body that will promote fairness, equal opportunity, and social justice.

Adeleye said that the commission when established, would help prevent discrimination, ensure inclusion of marginalised groups in policymaking, monitor laws and institutions, advise the government, and work with stakeholders to build a truly inclusive society.

The sponsor of DEI (establishment) Bill 2025, Bolanle Ajayi, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, said the proposed bill focused on ending all forms of discrimination and ensuring that everyone had a fair chance to participate in society.

Ajayi said the commission would be a driving force for fairness and social justice, especially for those who had often been ignored or sidelined, particularly women, children, persons living with disabilities, the youth, and minority groups.

The founder of WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, lamented the growing incidence of gender-based violence in the state.

She disclosed that the passage of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bill would help to check the GBV menace and strengthen the women’s resolve to take their rightful place in the scheme of things in the state and the country at large.

The OGSTEP Project Director, Mrs Mosunmola Owo-Odusi, said the government, through the World Bank-assisted project, had not only trained and empowered thousands of women but had also established four Sexual Assault Referral centres across the state-providing care, legal support, and referrals for survivors of GBV.

Owo-Odusi called on the assembly to help with strong legislative support that would aid an increase in budgeting for all efforts tailored towards protecting women and other vulnerable groups.