Ahead 2019: Hon. Titilayo Akerele Takes Bold Stand Against Political Violence On Women
The Oasis Reporters
December 1, 2017
Hon. Princess Titilayo Owolabi Akerele, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, who is also the Secretary General, Conference of Female Parliamentarians in the 36 States of Nigeria has said all women, “especially in Ekiti experiencing political violence and in need of help should leave a message” via her WhatsApp group wall for possible assistance or linkage with the national response situation office.
This was disclosed during the recently attended three – in – one meeting and workshop of Female Parliamentarians in the 36 States of Nigeria at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja held between 26th – 30th Nov. 2017.
At the workshop and meeting, several topics were discussed amongst which were; Unbundling the barriers to inclusive democracy.
The meeting with the United Nations Women representatives with Women in Parliament dwelt on action plans on how to increase the number of women in politics in 2019 and the identification of various types of pre- election, election day and post election violence against women.
The meeting was convened to proffer solutions with timelines on means of protecting women against violence as it brought together over 250 women from all over Nigeria with representatives from the United Kingdom , Canada and the United States.
The Ekiti lawmaker in her address called for inclusion of the male folk in the gender balance talk, and made a call for improved implementation of existing legal instruments on gender balancing and protection, urging women to be more supportive of one another instead of hating their kind and voting for the male gender.
Owolabi who is the Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Gender Empowerment said there is need for more advocacy, women sensitization and enlightenment campaigns , noting that women need enough motivational talks and action.
Present at the workshop were the Presidents of Women in Politics, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, NASS representatives, INEC, over 20 NGOs representing the civil society and notable women leaders cum politicians.
Owolabi is also the CEO of Princess Valerie Royal Hope Foundation, an NGO interested in the plights of grassroot women.
Courtesy : Alonge Olufemi Alonso.
