The emergence of women in various leadership and political positions has been identified as one of the viable way to tackle violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Barr. Ayo Adebusoye, Steering Committee Chairman, Lagos State Civil Society Partnership, LACSOP while speaking on the Role of Men in Ending Violence Against Women on Star FM.
The radio program was organized by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARD-C) in conjunction with Spotlight initiative a joint EU-UN project to end Violence against Women and Girls.
Barr Adebusoye said, “the issue of Women in Positions is significant because until we get that in place, violence against women will continue because of the wrong mindset of the inferior position of women.
“Women need to emerge into various political and leadership positions and as such, we have been able to address the issue of treating women as being inferior.”
“Women are excelling in public service. From Nigeria we have examples like Amina Mohammed and Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela just to name a few who are doing oustanding work on the global stage.
“Countries with Women as Prime Ministers like New Zealand, Taiwan and Germany have the best succesful response to COVID-19 pandemic.
“In Africa, countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia who have a large percentage of women at the highest levels of governance are the countries with the best development and growth indicators.
“The data is showing that where Women are given the space to actualize their full potential the whole society prospers,” he added.
Speaking on gender roles, Adebusoye explained that it is the society that ascribed roles to women and men but it has changed significantly and it should be embraced.
He said, “it is no longer the fact that men go to work and bring home the bacon and women stay at home and cook it. Its both ways now. Men and women tend to accept that more income is needed in the house hold but they cannot seem to deal with the fact that their expectations must change. That is the hard part
“It amounts to domestic violence because there are a conflict of expectations and where there is the feeling that it is not met, it can degenerate to fist cuffs.”
Adebusoye also recommended that Parents, religious leaders, relevant organizations and individuals need to forge a common front and harmonize efforts to end rape in Nigeria.
Barr. Adebusoye said while there are many reasons for rape and sexual violence against women, which range from exposure to illicit contents and pornographies, cultural issues amongst several others, there are no justification for such heinous act against women and girls.
“There are cultural issues as part of the reasons for rape because some men believe that once they’ve paid their wives dowry, they already ‘bought’ her and as such can violate her anyhow.
“What people are watching on a daily basis, music channels that have half-naked women and pornographic contents are also some reasons for rape.
“However, these are no justifications for raping or violating women, that is why it is important that religious leaders preach to men on the need to protect and honor women,” he added.
He also stressed the need for teachers in schools and parents to play their collective role in ending violence against women and girls.