2023: JDPMC Inaugurates Rapid Response Team To Swiftly Respond To Reported Cases Of Gender Based Violence

–Sets To Deploy 243 Election Watchers To Track Cases With JUST-WATCHER Mobile Application In 3 States

In her full preparation and readiness for the 2023 General Elections which is few days away, a prominent faith-based and Non-governmental Organization known as Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, (JDPMC) Osogbo has officially inaugurated a team of specialists that would be responding to the reported cases of gender-based violence, before, during and after the 2023 General Elections under entire European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II project funded by The European Union (EU-SDGN).

Speaking on the rationale behind laudable initiative, the General Coordinator of the JDPMC, Rev.Fr. Peter Akinkunmi said that Rapid Response Team which comprised of men and women of timbre and caliber who have carved a niche for themselves in their various fields.

The members are medical, practitioners, psychologists, gender educator, Civil Society Organisations, various security agencies, legal practitioners, representatives from State’s ministry of Women Affairs, religious and traditional leaders among others shall promptly respond to cases of Gender based violence before, during and after the election as the case may be.

In his words “Baseline study had shown that the level of gender based violence during any election contributes to the voters’ apathy especially among women folks which more often than not leads to the poor choice of leadership.

We believe that this must not continue and that is why we have put this initiative in place to promote inclusiveness in our electoral system. It is our hope that it will justify its essence and Nigeria will have a free, fair and credible election this year, he concluded”.

He further stressed that initiative is in furtherance of the Organization’s vision which seeks to uphold the dignity of human persons and their development. Also speaking, the Project Manager, Mr. Festus Ojewumi noted that the overall goal of the entire EU-SDGN Phase II project funded by The European Union and Coordinated by JDPMC, Osogbo with JDPM, Oyo and JDPI Ekiti being co-implementers is to promote more youth, women as well as Persons with Disability involvement in the electioneering process and more importantly, prevent gender-based violence during the elections.

He further stated that the organisation has trained 243 Election Watchers in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States on the use of JUST- WATCHER Mobile Application developed for tracking and reporting cases of Gender based violence before, during and after the general election.

He concluded by appreciating the European Union for their immense effort in strengthening our democratic system in Nigeria.