…Market leader mobilises women, men to end violence
…Over 100 residents sensitised at grassroots event
…Stakeholders urge parents to protect the girl-child
By Oyindamola Taiwo, Osogbo
Mrs. Osunkemitan Oyeyemi Olalude, the Iyaloja Akede of Ataoja International Market, Osogbo, has turned her birthday celebration into a campaign platform against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Osun State.
The sensitization programme, held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at her residence in Osogbo, drew market women, community members, cultural leaders, youths, family and friends.
The initiative which was supported by Hacey, a non governmental organization, was described as a grassroots advocacy effort aimed at leveraging community gatherings and cultural influence to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, as well as the dangers of FGM.
Speaking during the event, Mrs. Olalude said she deliberately chose her birthday to educate people on the urgent need to eradicate harmful practices that continue to endanger women and girls.
According to her, gender-based violence remains a major challenge in many communities, often concealed by silence, stigma and neglect.
She noted that female genital mutilation, in particular, still persists despite public enlightenment campaigns and legal prohibitions, posing serious health risks.
“Female genital mutilation can lead to severe complications during childbirth and also affects women later in life,” she warned.
Explaining her motivation, the Iyaloja said she had witnessed cases of sexual abuse and mutilation involving women and female children within society.
“I have seen my fellow women and female children being sexually abused and how they are victims of female genital mutilation. This made me decide to use my birthday ceremony as a medium to sensitise the community about the existence of these practices and the need for their eradication,” she said.
She stressed that mutilating the female body is unacceptable and must be completely eliminated from Osogbo communities and beyond.
Mrs. Olalude also condemned the abuse of underaged girls, attributing it partly to parental negligence and failure to take responsibility for children’s safety.
Admonishing parents, especially mothers, she urged them to be more vigilant and proactive in protecting their children from predators and harmful traditions.
She also appealed to men to serve as responsible role models and protectors of their daughters and families.
“Men should be good models and protect their daughters in order to curb and eradicate gender-based violence,” she added.
Participants at the event received educational flyers in Yoruba and English, outlining different forms of GBV, warning signs, health consequences of FGM and available reporting mechanisms.
A banner displaying the Iyaloja’s public stand against GBV and FGM was also mounted at the venue, while attendees held placards with messages such as “Say No to GBV” and “FGM is a Crime.”
Hacey, the Organiser, said more than 100 women and men were reached through the sensitization programme, supported by trained cultural women leaders developed through HACEY’s recent training initiative.
One of the guests, Chief Mrs. Agboola Simiat, the Otun Iyalode of Osogbo land, described GBV and FGM as criminal offences that must be tackled collectively.
“Female genital mutilation is a bad practice and must be eradicated,” she declared, urging parents to pay closer attention to their children to prevent them from becoming victims.
Also speaking, a youth from Akede community, Mr. Olayiwola Abdulrazaq, pledged to safeguard the girl-child in his future home.
“When I become a parent, I will ensure my female child will not be a victim of gender-based violence and female genital mutilation,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event called for sustained community-driven advocacy and stronger collaboration among cultural leaders, parents, youths and government institutions to end violence against women and girls across Osun State.
