The Standup for Women Society has condemned the barbaric act of the ward Chairman of Arigidi/Iye Ward 1, Mr. Awolumate Olumide who in a viral video beat and threw a chair on the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Olubunmi Osadahun.
We, the SWS called on the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to call for the immediate suspension of the ward chairman because he has failed in his responsibility to protect women as a leader who is supposed to lead by example.
In a statement made available to journalists by the National Public Relations Officer, Lib. Billie Nwogu, the International President, Barr. Deborah Ijadele-Adetona frowns at the inhuman treatment meted out to the commissioner, promises to seek justice for any violence against women and that the honourable commissioner will not be different.
“On behalf of Standup For Women Society and Nigerian women of which I am representing, I Barrister Deborah Ijadele-Adetona will do everything possible to get to the root of whatever has provoked the man to beat and molest such a woman of substance like this in an open public.
This assault on a widow, a symbol of a state government and distinguished mentor to women in the public is an insult to the government she is serving and as well as abuse to the rights of a person. Therefore, I will take it up with the careless man” she added.
The International President also called on the state police commissioner to investigate the reason behind Mr. Awolumate’s rude action against the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs
Note that the SWS as a non-governmental Organisation that advocates for the rights of women, children and men and will not trade it for anything except justice is served.
Let me remind Awolumate Olumide that According to the Constitution Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Section 34 provides that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his/her person and accordingly no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.
Also, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, of 2015 was enacted to prohibit all forms of violence in private and public life and provides the maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other matters thereto.
To this end, SWS International has called on the state chapter of the association to do the needful and to ensure justice prevails.
“Abuse of one woman is an abuse to all women. We stand for justice for Olubunmi Osadahun” says SWS.
Finally, we called on the state governor to as a matter of urgency make active the VAPP Bill he signed into law in July 2021 to prevent women from being violated over issues that can be resolved without fighting in public.