As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Hajia Balkis Olatunji has led a public outreach campaign in major markets across Oluyole Local Government in line with the vision of the wife of the executive governor of Oyo state, Chief Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde.
The public awareness campaign held across selected major markets in Oluyole local government on December 12.
The campaign, which targeted market women and traders, focused on educating them about the importance of protecting women’s rights and the available support systems for victims of GBV.
Speaking to a crowd of market women at the popular Odo-Ona Market, Hajia Olatunji said, “Gender-Based Violence is a crisis that affects not just the victim, but the entire society.
“We must stand up together to break the silence and put an end to this menace. Women deserve to live in a world free from fear and violence.”
“Our mother, leader, and mentor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde; wife of the executive governor is leading this charge across the state and we are following her steps by taking the campaign to the grassroots and local communities, that’s why we’re here.
“Violence against women and children especially the girl-child must stop, we must all unite against this menace and put an end to it.”
The campaign included distributing flyers with information on GBV prevention, legal resources for victims, and the importance of community involvement in addressing violence against women.
Hajia Olatunji emphasized that educating women on their rights and empowering them to report abuse was crucial to ending the cycle of violence and vowed to keep working towards a future where every woman and child are nurtured and safe for every community in Oluyole LG to thrive.
Community leaders and advocates who also joined the GBV campaign commended Hajia Olatunji for her commitment to improving the lives of the vulnerable and her proactive approach in tackling pressing social issues.
One of the market leaders, Mrs. Abike Adeola, expressed gratitude for the GBV awareness campaign, stating, “We have learned a lot today. Many women suffer in silence, and today we have been given the tools to speak up and support one another. Hajia Olatunji is doing a great job in reaching out to us.”
Also present at the awareness campaign were wife of the Local Government vice chairman, Mrs. Niyi Akorede, Supervisory Councillor for Women Affairs; Mrs. Selimot Adeshina, PDP women leader in Oluyole Mrs Basirat Also, Special Assistants and members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oluyole local government.