OSUN PLEDGES COLLABORATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AT THE UNITED NATIONS
In a groundbreaking announcement at one of the side events organized at the United Nations, Osun State has pledged unwavering support for civil service organizations in the crucial battle against Female Genital Mutilation and other forms of Gender-Based Violence.
During the 68th Sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the Osun State First Lady, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, declared a resolute commitment to collaborating with Civil Society Organizations in eradicating the atrocities of Female Genital Mutilation and all manifestations of gender-based violence in Osun State and across Nigeria.
In her address, Chief Mrs. Adeleke underscored the urgent necessity for cohesive teamwork and alignment between the government and all pertinent stakeholders in combating the abhorrent practice of female genital mutilation.
This momentous announcement took place on the final day of the conference on the status of women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, during a side event organized by the Initiative for Girls Rights and Health Development in conjunction with Osun State.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs. Abimbola Babatunde, echoed a firm commitment to partnering with various Civil Society Organizations to uphold a policy of zero tolerance towards all forms of gender-based violence.
Mrs. Babatunde emphasized the Osun State Government’s staunch disapproval of gender-based violence in any shape or form, underscoring the imperative for collaborative efforts to combat this societal scourge.
Furthermore, the Directors of Women Affairs and Gender at the same Ministry, Mrs. Yemisi Oladele and Ms. Lola Adewale, highlighted the critical importance of ongoing public awareness campaigns to eliminate harmful traditional practices. They noted that as of 2015, Osun State had the highest prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria, which has now reduced to 49% due to the sustained cooperation of relevant stakeholders, intergenerational dialogues with key figures, and the active involvement of civil societies in Osun State.
The Ooni of Ife, HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi ,Ojaja II was represented by Oba Adebanjo Adedini the Asoya of Ile Isoya, Ile Ife, at the event