Chairperson Akande Leads Groundbreaking Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence in Ibadan South West

In a ground-breaking initiative that has sparked a wave of social change across the region, Mrs Oyinkansola Akande  the dynamic firstlady of Ibadan South West Local Government Area, has spearheaded a comprehensive and transformative campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). 

The campaign, which has touched every corner of the community, aims to raise awareness, empower women and girls, and create a united front against violence in all its forms.

In what can only be described as an extraordinary and historic effort, Firstlady Akande's GBV campaign reached hundreds of families, young people, and local leaders throughout the area. The initiative included a series of impactful outreach activities, each tailored to bring attention to the critical need for societal change and the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly the girl child.

The campaign kicked off with a series of engagements at major local markets Aleshiloye, Dugbe and Oke bola, where Mrs Oyinkansola Akande addressed mothers directly, urging them to protect, nurture, and support their daughters in the fight against gender-based violence. With a powerful message of unity and compassion, she highlighted the importance of proper care for the girl child and the need for parents to serve as the first line of defense against the dangers of GBV. Her words resonated deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of attendees.

“This is not just a campaign, it is a call to action,” Mrs Oyinkansola Akande declared to a crowd of captivated mothers. “It is about ensuring that our daughters grow up in a society where they are valued, respected, and safe from harm. Together, we can build a future free from violence.”

The campaign then moved to several high schools across the local government area, where Mrs Akande addressed an assembly of young girls. She spoke candidly about the challenges they face, including harassment, discrimination, and violence, and encouraged them to always stand strong, speak out, and seek help when needed. During these school visits, the Chairperson distributed materials such as informational brochures and pamphlets, sanitary pads and several other menstrual hygiene products, for the empowerment of students with the knowledge and resources to recognize and address GBV in their own lives and communities.

“Your voices matters. Your rights matters,” Akande told the girls. “The power to change the future is in your hands. Don’t be afraid to speak up, to fight for your dignity, and to demand the respect you deserve.”

In a poignant and visually striking moment, the campaign also included a series of roadside walks. These walks, which took place in the heart of the local communities, from  Aleshiloye to Dugbe were symbolic of the long journey ahead in the fight against GBV. With participants donning T-shirts bearing slogans like #TogetherAgainstGBV, #SayNoToGBV— they marched with purpose, holding placards and banners to raise awareness about gender-based violence and advocate for stronger protective measures in the community.

The campaign’s success was not just measured by the large turnout or the media coverage, but by the palpable shift in the hearts and minds of those who attended. Conversations about GBV, which once took place behind closed doors, were now happening openly, as the message of hope, resilience, and change spread like wildfire throughout the local government area.

Chairperson Akande has particularly commended the Oyo State First Lady, Her Excellency, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde for her clear stance in support of women and the girl child across the state. She vowed to continue the efforts to eradicate GBV, ensuring that the momentum created during the campaign will lead to lasting change.

“The battle against gender-based violence is not won in a day,” Akande said in her closing remarks. “But with every voices raised, every actions taken, and every life changed, we are one step closer to a world where no woman or girl is ever silenced by violence again.”

The campaign apparently marked a defining moment in the fight against gender-based violence in the local government area.