JDPC urges Akeredolu to appoint more women in his cabinet
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
The Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Akure, has called on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state to take more affirmative action by appointing more women in his cabinet to at least one-third of the cabinet to be women with reputable leadership qualities.
Oluwatoba Olaifa, the Legal Officer, Ondo JDPC who spoke on behalf of the organization, on Thursday in Akure acknowledged the appointment of Oladuni Odu as the Secretary to the Ondo State Government by Governor Akeredolu.
The appointment according to her, was a step forward for women’s inclusion in governance.
Olaifa said the Stop-Violence Against Women In Politics Response Committee of the organisation was committed to awareness-raising, advocating for behavioral change, sensitizing citizens on gender-based violence (GBV), tracking and responding to cases of GBV, and improving women’s political participation in the state.
She, however, said the Committee would also continue to encourage women’s participation in electoral and political processes.
Recall that Ondo JDPC in collaboration with other organisations, had called on the State House of Assembly to quickly review and enact the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill to provide protection for women in the state.
But Olaifa said, “we want to appreciate the Ondo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun for making laws for the betterment of the people of Ondo State which they represent.
“An ad-hoc committee was set up by Ondo state House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon. Simeon Borokini to review the bill. The committee took steps to review the bill and organized a public hearing on March 8, 2021. Considering, the impact of this bill on the people of the State by reducing the rising trend of gender-based violence in the public and private sphere, it is important to put all hands on deck to ensure the passage of the bill into law.
“We, however, want to call on the Ondo State House of Assembly to expedite action to pass the bill into law. As we await the passage of the VAPP bill of Ondo State, we wish to reiterate here that the provision of this bill frowns against all forms of gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, discrimination against persons among others.
“We also, at this juncture urge every individual, NGOs, CBOS, the legislature, judiciary, and the executive not to disperse or hinder the pursuit of justice and the advocacy for the fundamental rights of citizens or kick against measures that have the sole goal of protecting men and women from acts of violence and other harmful practices.”
