By: Ayomikun Oluwatimileyin Inawole

A call has been made for women not be taken as second class citizens, with a charge for stiffer punishment against those found culpable.

Barrister Olukayode Oloyede made the position in a recent interaction with Ayomikun Inawole, in commemoration of the 16 days of activism initiative to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

He advised victims of sexual and gender based violence to contact legal aides for help at almost zero cost, with an assurance of justice.

“We have hotlines and helplines not only that safeguard the victims of that, legal aids and assistance are there they are ready they are set to take any of this up, for instance the legal aids though free or low cost legal services for victims they are there for anybody that is a victim just approach them they are set it is not because of the fact that there is no money, whenever such happen you are covered by these people, here in Kwara state in Nigeria as a whole we have so it is just left for you to walk to them and they will take care of your predicament.”

The legal practitioner also charged government at all levels to do more to ensure that justice is served and not delayed.

“What we just want to urge the government is just to help in making sure that justice are not delayed there is a saying that justice delayed is justice denied they should just help that just is not delayed we have some rape matters in courts even till today yet to be decided upon and with this so many people would be thinking of it may not yield anything to take it to court, let me, do let me go to God though God will act but it may be as fast as expected so government should help that justice is not delayed, not only the government even the lawyers where we know the truth lets follow the path of truth and allow justice to be given.”

Meanwhile, today marks the launch of the UNiTE campaign which runs till the 10th of December 2024. It is a 16 day activism initiative to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with this year’s event tagged: “#NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women”. This should be taken to heart by everyone, including public decision- makers. Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in this area, not only to ensure that women are protected from hostile attitudes and behaviors towards them when engaging in politics, but also by developing awareness-raising campaigns and providing reliable support services to all women victims of violence.

Ayomikun Oluwatimileyin Inawole is a 400-Level Mass Communication student at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Nigeria.