As part of efforts in the fight against against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM and other sexual and Gender Based Violence GBV, Oyo State government on wednesday inaugurated a 20-man steering committee and 55-man technical working group for effective and sustainable management of gender related issues.
The committees ,which has three months to come up with the Oyo State Action Plan was inaugurated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion at a special programme in commemoration of International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM held at the secretariat, Ibadan.
The Steering Committee members include; Commissioners for Justice and Attorney General Barrister Abiodun Aikomo, Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi,Trade, Hon.Adebisi Adeniyi,Education, Professor Soliu Adelabu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of information, Mr Rotimi Babalola among others while the Technical Working Committee has representatives from the civil society organizations, development partners and other relevant staholders as members.
Inaugurating the twins committees, Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, said Oyo State is committed to building a society where gender related issues are effectively and sustainably managed through collaborative, multi-sectoral approach that transcends ministries, agencies and departments.
In her speech, Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion and Chairperson of the Steering committee, Toyin Balogun, said the strategic platform is not just to tackle FGM but a holistic gender responsive governance and interventions that ensure inclusive, just and equitable society.
According to her, ending FGM and tacking gender based violence requires full commission of government agencies, civil society, development partners , community leaders and the media
She charged both committees to approach the task with urgency, dedication, and Innovation stating that the three months deadline for developing the Oyo State Action Plan provides an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for long- term progress.
In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of partnering agencies and groups, including UNICEF expressed optimism that the effort would drastically reduce FGM and Gender based violence in the state
It will be recalled that Nigeria ranked 3rd in the world while Oyo State rated 5th among States and Countries with highest record of practices.
