Men have been called on to take the front row in the battle against the menace of gender based violence in Lagos State.
The call is coming from Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju led Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, OPD, during the sensitisation and enlightenment campaign, marking this year’s United Nations 16 days of activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & Girls tagged “Orange the World”.
The theme for this year is ”Unite! Say No To Gender Based Violence,” held at the Chapel of Christ the Light and Nasrul-Lahi-il-Fatih Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Alausa, Lagos.
Speaking, Adesomoju said many men are culpable in meting out either physical, emotional and psychological violence against women. Therefore, the theme for this year Orange the World is apt as all hands must be on deck to eliminate gender based violence in the State.
She also said men should take the bull by the horns and lead the fight against this scourge that is capable of undermining our socio-economic growth and development.
She expressed concern that failure to nip it in the bud might deny the nation of the opportunity to occupy a rightful place in the committee of nations.
Adesomoju encouraged clerics to also join in the crusade as they wield a lot of influence in the society. She equally enjoined the populace to say no to any form of gender based violence and urged victims to approach the nearest office of the OPD in their area for free and quality legal services in order to bring perpetrators to justice.
As part of this year’s event, the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender earlier had a sensitisation campaign with the students of Zumuratul Islamiyya Senior High School, Yaba on Lagos State Child’s Rights Law and how children can access OPD free legal services to safeguard their rights in the State.
