The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye has congratulated the women of Osun for their commitment to making the state a better place and standing against stereotypes of all kind and discrimination on the basis of gender.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Kunle Alabi to mark the International Women’s Day 2021, the Speaker commended women for remaining undaunted as they combined the onerous task of protecting their families and the state against the dreaded COVID-19 alongside their businesses.
He held that the bill on Prohibition of Violence Against Persons With Disability in Osun will be passed before the end of 2021.
Owoeye stated that the 7th Assembly under his watch will act in consonance with the Prohibition of Violence Against Persons With Disability law passed by the National Assembly in 2015 and 2018.
He stressed that, when the laws are replicated in the state, spousal battery, forceful ejection from home, forced financial dependence or economic abuse among others will become punishable offences.
The Speaker called on well-meaning organisations and Non Governmental Organisations to work in tandem with government institutions and authorities to put measures in place to implement and monitor the laws, to ensure equal treatment and participation of people with disabilities and prohibit violence against persons.
He said, “We are also going to work with various MDAs to give more priority to the issue of the girl-child and women in our society.
“Here at the 7th Assembly, we are happy to have two women in our midst; we have given them the needed support and equal opportunity and will continue to do so.
“The takeaway for me for this year’s celebration is the record broken by our own, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, to become the first African and first woman Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It is a historic one, which I hope will spur more women into dreaming and achieving the impossible.
“To all women, I wish you a happy celebration and Godspeed in all your endeavours”, he added.
