By Daniel Tyokua
The mandate Secretary FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi has disclosed that over 3,000 cases of gender based violence have been recorded in the last past 100 days in Abuja.
She said out of the number, two thousand were reported within the 100 days of the new Secretary in office.
This Secretary made this known in a press briefing to mark her 100 days in office, on Thursday
She explained that the increase in the number of reported cases of gender based violence in the FCT was due to renewed confidence residents have in the new authorities in charge of the FCTA.
Benjamins-Laniyi who restated her determination to “leave no woman behind” and “leave no adolescent behind”, said: “We have even had men come in to report abuses against them. “
She vowed to evolve “policies, politics and personal interactions” in the discharge of her duties to ensure an all-inclusive administration.
The Secretary who revealed her plans to work towards revival of the defunct FCT female football team, FCT Queens, added that cases of adoption have been temporary suspended.
According to Benjamins-Laniyi, she hit the ground running on assumption of office on 24th October, 2023, with consultation with stakeholders and the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Women Affairs Ministry, and familiarization visits to women groups, among others.
The Secretariat, within 100 days, also carried out gender-based violence (GBV) sensitization programmes for wives of traditional rulers and Area Council chairmen in the FCT.
It also celebrated the 2023 UN Women 16 days of advocacy against GBV in FCT, as well as hosted the First Lady’s Renewal Hope Humanitarian Programme for the aged.
Benjamins-Laniyi, also said that she has undertaken a tour of all facilities under her office, including FCT Unity Children’s Home in Gwako, Gwagwalada; FCT Transit Home/Juvenile Correctional Centre and Karu Children’s Home.
Others are Baby Friendly Centres/Creches in Areas 11 and 3; FCT Women Vocational and Empowerment Centre, Zuba; Poultry Farm Project, Pasali; and Groundnut Processing Centre, Kulo in Abaji, among others.
