By Ayodele Oni, Akure
Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, will today receive an award as best performing state on Domestication of Women Rights Instruments.
The award to be presented at the ongoing women conference in Akure, Ondo state, is in recognition of the state as the best performing state on domestication of Women Rights Instruments.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, explained that the award will be conferred by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
In a letter, signed by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, the Federal Government commended the Governor Kayode Fayemi for his efforts in the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015.
Ekiti is the first state in the country to have a strengthened and consolidated GBV Law, harmonizing the VAPP Act with existing GBV legislation.
Dame Pauline lauded Dr Fayemi for his visionary leadership in creating an enabling environment for women and girls to access fair justice .
“This is truly commendable as measures put in place such as the sex offenders’ register will serve as a deterrent mechanism” she said.
In a separate letter, the Minister also recognized the Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, in her personal capacity, for the tremendous role she played in ensuring the state’s performance in women’s rights is unrivaled.
The First Lady of Ekiti State is a globally renowned Gender Activist and she chairs the State’s Committee on Gender Based Violence Prohibition, amongst other women and child rights advocacy programmes she is actively involved in.
The event will also have in attendance all Commissioners for Women Affairs from the 36 states and the FCT .
It could be recalled that Ekiti State hosted the annual meeting of the National Council for Women during the first term of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in office.
