Ogun Assembly moves to combat GBV through legislation

..as 2025 DEI Establishment Bill scales first reading

The Ogun State House of Assembly has initiated moves to combat rising gender-based violence in the state through the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (Establishment) Bill.

The Bill which was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Bolanle Ajayi, has 45 sections, and aimed to establish a body that will promote fairness, equal opportunity, and social justice.

Ajayi stated that the bill focused on ending all forms of discrimination and ensuring that everyone had a fair chance to participate in society.

The Deputy Speaker said the commission would be a driving force for fairness and social justice, especially for those who had often been ignored or sidelined, particularly women, children, persons living with disabilities, the youth, and minority groups.

Meanwhile, at the parliamentary dialogue on gender-based violence, gender mainstreaming and diversity, equity and inclusion legislative framework organised by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre on Monday in Abeokuta, the Speaker of the House, Rt (Hon) Daisi Elemide, restated the commitment of the Assembly to combating rising gender-based violence in the state.

The Speaker said the House was ready to support every legal framework that would allow women and other vulnerable groups in society to contribute to the economic growth of the country.

He said “The Ogun State House of Assembly is a big supporter of he for she. For instance, the very first day the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (Establishment) Bill was brought (last week Friday) was the day it passed the first reading. So, we are with the women all the way to give you all the necessary legislative support and backing.Women must, therefore, not relent, you must keep pushing to have what rightfully belongs to you. You must know that power is not served al acarte but taken and so you must never be tired or grow weary.”

In her remarks at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adeleye, stated that gender-based violence, discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and child abuse were not just social concerns but had become economic issues, public health crises, and a silent pandemic-threatening development.

The commissioner called for the implementation of all the relevant laws to fight gender-based violence and protect the vulnerable in society.