The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday in Yenagoa expressed commitment to collaborating with the Women Arise for Change Initiative to launch its ‘Stop Youths Abuse’ campaign.
Dickson also challenged the All Progressives Congress its governorship candidate in the December 5governorship election, Timipre Sylva, to follow his example by ensuring a violence-free governorship election.
Receiving a delegation of Women Arise for Change Initiative, led by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, in his office, Dickson stressed the relevance of the civil rights organisation, particularly as political activities gather momentum in Bayelsa State.
Also, he cautioned youths against involvement in any electoral violence capable of destabilizing the state, disclosing that his administration in the last three and half years has formulated policies aimed at protecting women and youths in the state.
He said: “Government is passionate about protecting women against violence in all its ramifications, which led to the setting up of a committee to handle issues of physical abuse of women, particularly widows.”
Dickson assured the organization of government’s readiness to also partner with other relevant stakeholders to increase the level of advocacy in curbing the incidence of violence against women and other vulnerable groups, stating that copies of the booklet titled: “Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence and Young Persons in Nigeria,” would be made available to all the communities, chiefs and local government areas of the state.
Speaking earlier, Okei-Odumakin said the purpose for the visit to Bayelsa State was to sensitize government and people on the alarming statistics of cases of gender-based violence as it affects young persons in the society.
She stressed that it has become imperative for the organisation to present guidelines on gender-based violence, which she described as a non profitable women rights organization established in 2003 to advocate policy reforms towards gender equality, eradication of violence against women and their empowerment.
According to her, the ‘Stop Youths Abuse’ campaign would be taken to all nooks and crannies of the country as they already have been to Lagos, Oyo and Ekiti States.