As part of Activities to herald the 16 days activism against Gender based violence, Coordinator, Office of the First lady, Staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs, alongside partner NGOs, paid an Advocacy visit to the Edo State House of Assembly.
The delegation was received by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi; the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu; Rt Hon. Marie Edekor; Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi; Hon. Bright Iyamu; Hon. Eugene Inegbebor, Hon Uyi Omosigho, Hon Allison Okaka,Hon Sunday Aghedo among others.
Leading the groups on the visit were Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani ,coordinator Office of the First Lady, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah; and other key stakeholders.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani expressed gratitude to the Speaker and members of the Assembly for granting them an audience.
She explained that the 16 Days of Activism is focused on raising awareness and strengthening efforts to curb gender-based violence. She emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment as a critical tool for development, adding that more attention should be given to vulnerable groups across various sectors.
Also Speaking at the visit Former Deputy Speaker,Rt. Hon. Marie Edekor appreciated the Speaker for the opportunity to speak. She highlighted that the 7th Assembly had passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, describing it as one of the most progressive legal frameworks for protecting women in the state.
She noted that the 8th Assembly remains gender-sensitive and open to collaborating with women and advocacy groups.
In his response, Speaker Rt Hon Blessing Agbebaku reaffirmed his commitment to advancing women’s inclusion in governance.
He advocated for increased female representation, recommending at least two women per senatorial district. He emphasized that no man has the right to assault or demean a woman and assured that the House will review existing laws on gender-based violence to strengthen penalties where necessary.
The Speaker used the Opportunity to invite them to his empowerment Program about 300 women in his Owan West constituency, emphasizing that the distribution of the empowerment materials would be done on his behalf by the women leaders and the coordinator of the Office of the First lady.
