Oyo First Lady and Eunice Oyedokun Lead Campaign Against SGBV Across Oyo State

In a landmark effort to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Eunice Oyedokun, wife of the chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, joined forces with the First Lady of Oyo State on recently to launch the 2024 SGBV campaign in Ibadan. The initiative aims to raise awareness and foster community involvement to tackle the alarming rate of gender-based violence in the state.

Mrs. Oyedokun on Friday further extended the campaign’s reach to Ogbomoso South Local Government, kicking off educational programs, community outreach, and advocacy events aimed at promoting gender equality and ensuring justice for victims.

Data underscores the urgency of the campaign, with Oyo State recording over 692 cases of SGBV, including rape, in just one year (March 2020–February 2021). Experts estimate that unreported cases and recurring challenges since then bring the potential figure for the 2020–2024 period to over 2,500 cases.

Speaking at the launch in Ogbomoso South, Mrs. Oyedokun emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “Community involvement is key to breaking the cycle of violence and protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

The campaign will feature interactive workshops, legal education, and advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders, aimed at addressing stigma and encouraging victims to speak out.

This collaboration between the First Lady, local government officials, and civil society organizations is expected to bolster existing efforts, including the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and other gender-focused policies in Oyo State.