As the world marks this year’s International Day for the elimination of violence against women, Oyo State chapter of the  Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the state government to do more in the enforcement and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Law 2020.

The association in a statement jointly signed by its Chairperson and Secretary, Jadesola Ajibola and Stella Oyebanji respectively, observed that since the VAPP law was assented to by Governor Seyi Makinde, the implementation has started at the family court and it is working in the state and gave kudos to the family court leadership.

The statement read in part, “We wish to also call the attention of the Government to the increasing violation of women’s rights in the state as reports have shown that across the world nearly one in three women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters."

It also disclosed that a new report from UN Women based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic showed that two in three women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity.

“We also call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ngozi Onadeko, a gender-sensitive police boss and first female CP in the state to keenly continue to educate and encourage officers to give more attention to cases of gender-based violence.

“Oyo NAWOJ will continue sensitization and enlightenment of women and girls on their rights and the need to protect themselves from being violated. We wish to also caution women who may also be in the habit of provoking men to desist from doing so and promote peace wherever they find themselves in the country and beyond.

“We wish all women across the world a happy celebration and express optimism that violation against women and girls will reduce to its barest minimum in Oyo state", it added.