Int’l Women’s Day: GECORN Parleys Govt.,Religious, Traditional Leaders, NGOs Ahead Of Celebration

As part of efforts to galvanize supports for this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day celebration in Ondo State, Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN) today embarked on advocacy visits to the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, Traditional and Religious Leaders ahead of its Tuesday, 9th March, 2021 rally.

The State Coordinator of GECORN in the state, Mrs. Olabisi Omolona said the advocacy visit became necessary to mobilize for more hands to be on deck ahead of the year’s celebration at Ilekun community.

Mrs. Omolona who expressed worry over rising cases of gender based issues in the state said GECORN which had been in existence since 2003 has been at the forefront fighting the cause of women and the girl-child.

While addressing the Chief Imam of Akure kingdom, Sheik Abdulazeez Yayi Akorede, Mrs. Omolona called for the participation of Muslim women at the programme just as she assured the women that since government cannot do it alone, the onus lies on women to seek ways of ensuring that their rights are well protected under the law.

In his remarks, Sheik Yayi Akorede said Islam honours women and accord them a place of respect and dignity as daughters, sisters, wives and mothers just as he assured the team of his readiness to support them in whatever capacity necessary saying it is his duty to serve the interest of the people.

At the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development where the team was received by the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluyemi Olalusi and Mrs. Yemisi Taiwo, the officer in the Gender Desk, Mrs. Omolona also enumerated the enormous challenges facing women ranging from battering, domestic violence, rape among others saying it was high time steps are taken to review the nation’s constitution to accommodate the frailty of women as a vulnerable group.

Reacting, Mrs. Olalusi restated the need for training and retraining for women to know how to manage their homes saying rising cases of domestic violence shows that some homes are enmeshed in crises because of the woman’s inability to handle the home front.

The team was also went on advocacy visit to the State Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) where they were received by the State Chairman, Rev. Ayo Oladapo who also assured the group that he would mobilize its members to participate in their upcoming programme.

Pastor Oladapo while also affirming that women should be allowed to maximally display their potentials used the opportunity to urge them to speak up before situations in their homes gets out of hand.

At the palace of Ilekun, the Olu of Ilekun, Oba Oluwafemi Benjamin said he was glad that the event will be taking place in his community.

While also assuring the team of his support and the people’s participation, Oba Oluwafemi restated the key roles women play in the development of any society saying his Oloris will mobilize women’s participation at the programme.

Others on the team include State Chairperson of WOWICAN, Deaconess Grace Ademokoya, representative of State FOMWAN, HANDEF , ROTDOW, and NRHJN