I'll send bill on violence against women to Oyo Assembly soon - Ajimobi

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has assured women in the state that his administration will soon forward a bill criminalising violence against women to the state House of Assembly for passage.The governor made this known in a goodwill message at the national women summit and the inauguration of Oyo State Officials' Wives Association (OYSOWA), held in Ibadan on Wednesday.He said his administration would continue to support global affirmative action for 35 per cent women representation in political offices and work to correct the perception of women 'from the prism of commodity of use.'Describing his administration as a women-friendly government with the appointment of three female commissioners and over 20 special advisers and assistants, the governor stressed that women had performed better than their male counterparts as heads of various organisations.Earlier, wife of the governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, while explaining reasons behind the initiative of OYSOWA, said the body was conceptualised to synergise efforts of all political and public office holders in complementing the activities of their husbands to advance the cause of women.'Even though we have a fair representation of women in the current administration, we are still striving to achieve more. It is our hope that we can meet and even surpass the 35 per cent representation of women in government.'Also, the Child Rights Bill has been passed in the state and we are working tirelessly to ensure that it is fully implemented and not just swept under the carpet.''These children are our future and we must do all to prepare them for the future and prepare the future for them.'It is saddening to note that every eight minutes, one woman dies from pregnancy and childbirth complications more especially in the rural areas. Plans are therefore underway to launch the 'Abiya Tooto' programme in the state,' she said.Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, while commending Mrs Ajimobi for initiating the forum, charged her to use it to mobilise women for the state council election and also ensure sizable number of women contest chairmanship and councillorship positions.
Click here to read full news..