ABEOKUTA – In a powerful town hall meeting held at Oronna Town Hall, Ilaro on Thursday, the gathering echoed the urgency of social reform, community leaders, youth advocates, religious figures, and civil society organizations came together to raise their voices against the persistent scourge of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The event, organized under the banner of United to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls supported by Ford Foundation, served as a clarion call for collective action, education, and implementation.
The theme of the advocacy, “Our community, our responsibility working together to prevent Sexual Gender Based Violence”, was espoused to discourage Gender Based Violence against women.
The event featured a rich tapestry of perspectives, each reinforcing the need for proactive measures to combat gender abuse and promote gender equity.
Alhaja Adegbite, who represented the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria at the town hall meeting spoke about Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria’s ongoing advocacy efforts: “Our organization has always advocated for a society built on equality and equity, where abuse and maltreatment have no place. We conduct programs at local, state, and national levels to address these issues.”
She identified poverty as a major contributing factor to violence, explaining, “If you don’t empower your child, your wife, or your husband, many problems will arise. When a woman is confined at home all day with no resources, it creates conditions for abuse.”
Dr. Adeyemi, a respected leader at the community Development Council level in Ilaro, emphasized the foundational role of love and education within the household. “Love is the basic household need,” she said. “Families must commit to teaching their children monthly—not just academics, but values that foster respect and empathy.”
Comrade Adenike Kafilat, a prominent youth leader and the Vice Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ogun State Council, stressed the importance of awareness and advocacy.
“We must not wait until violence erupts,” she declared.
“Our communities should be alarm systems, alerting us early to social vices and intervening before they escalate.”
Pastor A.A. Alade, speaking from a faith-based perspective, highlighted the transformative power of education.
“Ending violence against women and girls begins with knowledge,” he said.
“Our churches must become centers of enlightenment, not just worship.”
Chief Babatunde Yinusa, a Chief in Ilaro, urged citizens to report abuse and act within the bounds of the law.
“Silence is complicity. We must empower victims to speak out and ensure that justice is not just promised but delivered.”
Young people played a central role in the event, voicing their concerns and proposing solutions. One youth participant passionately argued that society must raise alarms early about social vices. “We are the first to see the cracks,” she said. “Let us be the first to fix them.”
The event underscored the importance of intergenerational dialogue, with elders and youth working hand-in-hand to dismantle the structures that perpetuate gender violence.
An Associate member of Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) emphasized the critical role of religious and traditional leaders in addressing gender-based violence.
“The main issue we’ve identified through our data is that religious and traditional leaders often cover up incidents of violence,” the moderator explained.
“When there’s a case of sexual or gender-based violence in the community, these leaders sometimes intervene to ‘settle’ matters internally, allowing perpetrators to escape consequences and likely reoffend.”
The CEWHIN Abdulahi further highlighted concerns about confidentiality breaches: “Many pastors and imams don’t maintain confidentiality when women report domestic issues. Some even mock these situations from the pulpit, which discourages victims from speaking up. We want prevention, not just intervention after harm has occurred.”
The campaign, spearheaded by the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) supported by Ford Foundation, aims to create a ripple effect across communities in Ogun State and beyond. Serving as a hub for resources and reporting, organizers hope to build a network of informed and empowered citizens working against gender based violence.
The town hall meeting concluded with a unified message of working towards eradication of gender based violence.
