Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker has advocated for an increasing and sustained policies to further ensure protection of girl-child and women in a more protective environment.
This was made known during the second year anniversary of the Ogun NUJ Information chapel themed: Issues Affecting Women and Children” at Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Represented by the Director of Nursing Services, Hospital Management Board, Alhaja Oluremi Mosuro, the Commissioner identified major challenges confronting women in society, including gender-based violence, poverty, poor access to quality healthcare and education, sexual assault and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and psychological abuse.
She emphasised the importance of keeping women’s issues on the front burner of policy development, noting that there was need to strengthen existing frameworks to support gender rights, poor implementation remains a critical gap.
Coker also encouraged women to preserve their marriages in the absence of physical violence, for the sake of their children’s future, urging them to seek peaceful resolution and avoid actions that could lead to further social and economic hardship.
“There is a need for every woman to prioritise her health and wellbeing, Implementation of policy frameworks should not be ignored, especially when it concerns gender equity and access to basic services,” she said.
In her goodwill messages, the Director of Information Production Services Mrs. Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, congratulated the chapel on the second year anniversary, noting that such lecture would improve their wealth of experience for an healthy living.
The event also featured medical outreach and sports activities as part of the Chapel’s efforts to promote wellness and unity among members.
