A Right advocate, Dr Jude Obasanmi has canvass early training of the boy child against Intimate Partner Violence.
Dr Obasanmi stated this at a
Keynote Address on the theme Strengthening Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Delivered in Benin city, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Organised by the Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO) and the Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) In Collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Office of the First Lady, Edo State.
He explained that there was need for men to take responsibility in the training of the boy child as it will go along way in minimising Intimate Partner Violence in the country
.
“Intimate Partner Violence is not just a private matter; it is a public concern that affects health, stability, and national development.”
Dr Obasanmi noted that in Understanding the Weight of the Crisis across communities, the signs of Intimate Partner Violence are persistent
” Women afraid to speak out,
Survivors unsure where to go for help.
Children growing up with trauma.
Families normalizing harmful traditional and religious practices and men often excluded from the solution conversations.
When a woman suffers violence in the home, the entire community feels the ripple economically, socially, and morally.”
He called for the strengthening of community response against intimate Partner Violence as it was no longer optional but a necessity.
“The Community is Our First Line of Defense While policies, laws, and institutions are critical, the community remains the first responder, the closest support, and the most effective preventive force.
A community that responds quickly, compassionately, and collectively can save lives and to strengthen community response, we must focus on:
Awareness and Attitude Change: We must dismantle harmful norms that justify or excuse violence. Silence must no longer be our culture. Communities must be empowered with knowledge about what constitutes Intimate Partner Violence”
Earlier in a Welcome address, lead organiser, Indomitable Youths Organisation, Doctor Bright Onoviokukor decried the raising cases of Intimate Partner Violence and Gender Base Violence in Nigeria.
” Today’s program is more than an event, it is a call to action.
Every day, countless individuals across our state and country suffer in silence due to intimate partner violence. These are not just statistics; these are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, neighbors, and colleagues whose lives are affected physically, emotionally, economically, and socially.
Our focus this year on “The Roles and Responsibilities of Men” is deliberate and strategic.
Evidence from research and community engagement shows that while women and girls disproportionately suffer the impacts of Intimate Partners Violence , IPV, men have a critical role to play in prevention, early intervention, and creating healthier relationship models as when men stand up, speak out, and hold themselves and others accountable, communities become safer.”
The event which had representatives from the Edo State Office of the first lady , the Academia, Civil Society organisations and the Media featured questions and answers sessions, and Panel discussion.
