16 Days of Activism: ROTDOW Charges Gov’t on Funding to Eliminate GBV
In a bid to end gender-based violence in communities, states, and the country at large, the Restoration of Dignity of Womanhood (ROTDOW) has called on the government to allocate funds to eliminate the menace.
The CEO of ROTDOW, Olabisi Omolona, advocated for funding to address GBV issues in an interview shortly after meeting with the community response team in Akure, Ondo State.
She stated that her organization, who was facilitated by Women Advocate Research and documentation Centre (WARDC), has trained some community response team as paralegals, who have successfully reduced GBV in their communities to a bare minimum.
“At ROTDOW, supported by WARDC, we are doing this to raise our voices to the entire world, urging that it is time to eliminate violence against women and girls completely in society.”
Omolona, who said her organization is commemorating the 16 Days of Activism with this year’s theme, “Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” expressed the urgent need for the government to release funds to combat GBV. According to her, special funds are needed to help survivors, as they are vulnerable individuals.
“The pressure on our women is now immense. We are crying out that this violence against women and girls must end. There are people in the outreach areas, and the government should allocate funds to make it easier for survivors to live,” she further stated.
Omolona also appreciated WARDC for its relentless support, noting that the community response teams in Oda, Uso, and Amurin communities have met expectations, with GBV reduced to a minimum.
In separate interviews, the community response teams voiced the need for functional office accommodation and funds for logistics, which they said would strengthen efforts to eliminate GBV completely.
“The challenges we face include the lack of a physical space where people can come when they face GBV. We also need funds to make our work and movement easier,” one team member said. She narrated a case of child abuse in which a stepmother burned a child’s hand with hot water, and the team had rescued the child, placing them in a motherless baby home in Akure.
“There is a girl who was raped, and the rapist has been in prison for the last three months. There is also a woman who was beaten by her husband, and we made him sign an undertaking never to do it again.”
Another team member from Oda, Mrs. Olori Pelebe Christianah, noted that when called to address GBV issues, they often lack the means to get to the scene of the incident due to insufficient funds and support.
“We need a physical space where people can come to report cases. We have treated many GBV cases and settled several homes,” she said. She also emphasized the need for collaboration with security agencies to address issues such as students hawking during school hours.
Additionally, Mrs. Christiana Eleko from Amurin community stated that their efforts are not fully recognized due to the lack of office accommodation and security support.
“If we receive assistance and have an office, people will see that we are truly working. We have resolved many cases, such as child abuse. We need backup and an office,” she concluded.
