FG lauds Kwara Assembly over prompt passage of bill against gender-based violence

The Federal Government has commended the Kwara State House of Assembly for the accelerated passage of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, noting that it is a potent weapon to combat all forms of gender-based violence in the society.

The state legislative body had in October passed the bill prohibiting violence against persons.

Minister for Women Affairs, Ms. Dame Paulen Tallen, during ‘He for She’ advocacy visit to the Kwara State House of Assembly.

According to a statement issued by the Media aide to the Speaker, Ibrahim Sherif, Tallen said, “We are here on ‘He for She’ campaign, a United Nations (UN) campaign to celebrate men who have demonstrated clear commitment in carrying women along in Nation building and gladly, Kwara state Governor has done that.

“The all men 9th Kwara Assembly recognizes the essence of women in our society and understands that women’s growth is strategic and essential to nation-building and that is why it domesticated the VAPP Act.”

She added, “We congratulate you on the passage of the VAPP Law and for the demonstration of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s love for women that earned him the He for She award.”

The Minister noted that since the outbreak of COVID-19, children have been locked in with their abusers (fathers inclusive) and her Ministry have received heartbreaking reports from all States of the federation of gender-based violence and therefore appeal to Kwara state House of Assembly to ensure implementation of the VAPP and Child Right Law.

She furthered that no State is an exception from gender-based violence, stressing that no religion permits a baby to give birth to a baby. She also prayed to the House to propose and pass a bill that encourages women’s participation in lawmaking and governance in the State.

For his part, Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu said, “Kwara state is gender-sensitive and that is evidenced in the constitution of Permanent Secretaries in our Ministries, Commissioners, Special Advisers among others. Even in the composition of our Assembly Service Commission and Management Staff, the womenfolks are given significant considerations.

“We are proud to have you (Dame Paulen Tallen) in President Buhari’s administration, as someone who followed your trajectory since my days as a student unionist, I admire how you fought for women and we are glad associating with you.

Danladi-Salihu added that “The 9th Kwara Assembly recognized the need to respect and protect our mothers, sisters, and children and that is why we have done the needful bypassing VAPP Law, which the Governor signed immediately.”

Commenting on legislation to encourage women’s inclusion in governance, the Lawmaker said, “Passing a Law for women inclusion is not an issue, but the womenfolk must also take that risk and rise to the challenge of aspiring for leadership positions at various level. We must first advocate for the participation of women in politics.”

He also solicited the support of the Federal Government and the Hon. Minister’s to attract various interventions for women development in Kwara state.