In a bid to curb rising case of gender – based violence and harassment, the Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers association has, on Thursday, held its 1st national gender conference in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
NUPSRAW which is an offshoot of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the conference themed “Understanding Gender Based Violence and Harrasment in the World of Work” trains member on the importance of realizing how harassment and violence that are gender related can affect the day to day activities in the working community.
In her welcome remarks, the National Chairperson Women Committee of NUPSRAW, Com. Remilekun Adekola noted that like other contemporary challenges such as pandemic, war, terrorism, and environmental disaster, gender based violence are challenges faced by many workers.
She noted that gender based violence is one of the notable fundamental human right violations and social vice that undermines one’s sense of work.
Adekola who maintained in her remark that the case of gender based violence has caused isolation, depression and suicidal attempt for workers adding that both women and men can experience the violence although prone to the female gender.
She stressed that the conference was organized to promote awareness, sensitize and enlighten NUPSRAW members on various factors constituting to gender violence at work which include sexual harassment, making workers work overtime and many others.
In her keynote address, the National President, NUPSRAW, Comrade Roselyn Uba – Anarah noted that the conference was historical because it marks the maiden gender conference of the association.
Uba – Anarah stressed that the conference was to support in building capacity of women to understand their role in efficient service delivery in their various working places.
“Gender Based Violence and Harassment is a violence directed at person because of their gender or sex. GBVH is a global problem affecting tens of millions women workers in their place of work across the world with a data of 57% women affected.
“We need to protect our right to social protection, right to safety at workplace as the female gender is seen as the most frequently targeted for GBVH. This is an opportunity to reflect the effect and impact of performance in their workplace.
“We need to break the culture of silent to make the workplace, safer for all gender. The immense contribution of women to the development of society can no longer be ignored. The impact of women in the progress of organization and service cannot be underestimate.
“We want to eradicate abuse in office. The C190 law signed last month help protect the rights of staff in the world of work to make working safer so we can be more productive and contribute to the development of the Society.
“Vulnerable workers should give their body to abuse because they need help. They can be helped and supported without being harassed and they should speak up. A No is No. We want us to gain the knowledge, our boundaries and how to better relate with ourselves at work.
“Men and women should be given equal rights at at level of decision and policy making and access to equal resources. A nation can be said to be develop only when the women are safe. It is professional to be gender sensitive in addressing issues and advocate for the formulation of policies that sees to addressing women.” She said.
While speaking at the conference, the Oyo State Head of Service, Alh. Amidat Agboola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Parliament and Security, Oyo Governor’s Office, Mrs. Oni Olubunmi noted that the conference will reiterate the fact that women now know their right in the society.
She added that the sensitization for Gender Based Violence and Harassment is an important case that should not be limited to workplace but to various homes.
“This topic is very critical and it should not be limited to workplace but also to our homes so we can train our children morally.
“One of the critical functions of ministry of women affairs. Not limiting it to workplace but to markets women, our communities etc.
“In Oyo State, we are worker’s friendly we don’t discriminate. We have one gender violence case and it was trampled immediately. We run an open door policy to give opportunities to women’s voice to be heard not only in workplace but in all ramifications.”
