OSUN GOVERNMENT AFFIRMS PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The State Government of Osun has renewed its determination to prosecute rape perpetrators and other forms of vices of violence against women and children by ensuring that policies are implemented for the protection of women and children in the State.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Omolara Ajayi made this known at an in-house refresher workshop held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry.She explained that the purpose is to ensure improved service delivery to women and children by all staff.

Pharmacist Ajayi further disclosed that the focus of the workshop is taking into consideration the daily insecurity threats to the rights of women and children especially the girl -child and that the refresher workshop is to expose social workers to current trends and practices and to re-acquaint them with previously learnt skills.

She further disclosed that the services being provided will take care of women, children, the elderly, mentally challenged and persons with disability. The Permanent Secretary then affirmed the partnership of all agencies of government and other related organizations to improve potentials for protection and promotion of the rights of women and children in the state.

Mrs. Ajayi then commended the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for providing necessary facilities that will bring life and succour to vulnerable children and others with special needs thereby providing them with hope and future.

She then implored the social workers rendering services to these special people to continue to work selflessly stressing that God will meet their needs.

The Resource Persons for the workshop, Dr. Boladale Mapayi, a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Dr. Olanrewaju Ibigbami, a Consultant Psychiatrist, State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, averred and commended the government’s commitment to Child
Rights Acts and the war against trafficking of human persons which is yielding results, hence the need for the State of Osun to implement to conclusion existing laws and Institutions.

They both advocated that victims suffer psychological and health trauma and that parents should protect their wards by inculcating in them adequate information for prevention and protection from vices and that through record and validation, accountability is ensured with the prosecution of perpetrators, which leads to an end of impunity by strengthening the legal and judicial system for violence against children and women.