World Bank, Ekiti govt partner against gender-based violence, others

Ekiti state government and the World Bank have agreed to jointly tackle gender-based violence, rape and female genital mutilation in the state.

The agreement came as part an interface between the bank team and the tate government’s top officials led by the governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday.

Team Lead and Social Development Manager (Africa) of the bank, Senait Assefia, said there was the need for government and development partners to consider how to tackle “critical emerging issues,” especially gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and rape.

Assefia said the bank’s decision kick-off the partnership with the state was not unconnected with the leading roles being played by Governor Fayemi in curbing social menaces.

Fayemi identified the “weak justice system” as one of the factors promoting impunity; hence the decision of the state government to introduce psychiatry test and open register of sex offenders among others methods to discourage rapists.

The governor said genital excision “is a cultural practice which requires the support of traditional institutions for existing laws in curbing the social menace.” He also stressed the need to strengthen the gender mainstreaming issues.

The bank official called for partnership among all stakeholders to enable them to take ownership of all steps taken to tackle “gender violence, rape and mutilation.”

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