Mrs. Makinde, who gave this assurance on Thursday in a statement commemorating the June 19 International Day for the Elimination of  Sexual Violence in Conflict, restated the present government’s determination to “activate integrated action by the police, the judiciary, as well as communal responsibility to ensure justice for victims and protection for the vulnerable.”

She called on members of the society to join hands with government in the efforts to end sexual violence, noting that no one should be a bystander in matters of rape and sexual violence, “because it is by joining hands that we can defeat the atrocious crime in our society.”

She charged residents to call the Oyo State Emergency Number: 615 in case of any emergency.

Mrs. Makinde said: “Now, more than ever before, the vulnerable among us need our help.

“Today, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we join our voices with that of the entire world to say no to Rape, Sexual Violence, Abuse and all other forms of violence against women whether in peace or conflict.

“We cannot agree less with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, when he said on this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: “We stand in solidarity with survivors. We vow to listen to them and act on their experiences and decisions.” “We in Oyo State hereby renew our vow to harmonise efforts to ensure that justice is served to all victims of sexual violence.

“We reassure all of our determination to activate integrated action by the Police, the Judiciary, as well as communal responsibility to ensure justice for victims and protection for the vulnerable.

“We recognise the incidences of Rape and murder being recorded in some communities in recent times but further commit to ensure justice for these victims and the many more unreported cases that may have been perpetrated.

“Let me state clearly that perpetrators of these heinous acts of rape and sexual violence will not go unpunished.

“However, we commend the Oyo State Judiciary, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, which have been working together to provide first responder and primary care assistance for rape victims.

“We are equally thankful to the state government for its efforts in domesticating laws such as the 2006 Child Rights Law; the 2016 Criminal Justice law and 2016 Violence Against Women (VAW), laws which are targeted at addressing the terrible act of rape and other forms of sexual violence against women.”

The Oyo State First Lady further called on the police to expand its forensic protocols in order to enable easy access to fingerprint and DNA testing, noting that these procedures will ensure speedy dispensation of justice and preservation of victims’ privacy.

“Let me use this opportunity to further call on the Nigeria Police Force to expand forensic protocols to enable easy access to fingerprinting and DNA testing. These procedures will expedite justice and preserve the privacy of victims. I enjoin members of the public to also show more empathy towards the victims.

“Let no one be a bystander in matters of Rape and Sexual violence because it is by joining hands that we can defeat the atrocious act of Rape and sexual violence in our society.

“Please call the Oyo State Emergency number 615 in times of need,” she said.

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“The best way to protect refugees and displaced people is to prevent them from having to leave their homes.”

“The best way to protect refugees and displaced people is to prevent them from having to leave their homes. That means tackling root causes – poverty, conflict, discrimination and exclusion of all kinds.

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 are our roadmap. Both agendas are aligned around a people-centred and planet-sensitive transformation. Eradicating poverty is their overriding priority,” he said.

He was speaking at a special panel discussion – one of four Africa Dialogue Series 2019 side events – at the United Nations Headquarters on 23 May, on the challenges faced by refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs), their specific needs, including being recognized as a group that can bring significant benefits such as health, human capital development and the eradication of poverty.

Changing Africa’s narrative

The narrative about Africa needed to change in four principal respects, said Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General: “First, Africa’s progressive response to forced displacement must be recognized and supported.”

“Africa is not a continent of mass exodus. Most African migrants are educated and move within the continent for economic opportunities, contributing to growth.”

“Second, understandings of migration in Africa must align with the facts. Africa is not a continent of mass exodus; in fact, in 2017 less than 2.9 per cent of Africa’s population left the continent. Most African migrants are educated and move within the continent for economic opportunities, thereby contributing to growth,” she explained.

“Third, African youth play a catalytic role for peace, including by using social media to combat xenophobia. Finally, the economic outlook for Africa is positive, especially in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which will boost inclusive economic growth through infrastructure development and employment creation, especially for youth.”

Solutions to displacement must include empowerment of women and girls

“Forced displacement is not only a tale of human tragedy; it also poses a real threat to achieving peace, prosperity and development,” said Bience Gawanas, Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General.

“Behind each number (refugee), there is a human being. I, myself, am a product of African solidarity. Having left home in my teens during the war of liberation against apartheid in Namibia, I spent years in refugee camps in Angola and Zambia and benefitted immensely from the generosity of the Angolan and Zambian people. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your big heart,” she said.

UNFPA strongly believes that durable solutions to forced displacement should include women and adolescent girls’ empowerment, as this is critical for peace, security and sustainable development of Africa, said Dereje Wordofa, Assistant Secretary-General and UNFPA Deputy Executive Director.

“When in possession of opportunities, education, safe environments, health care and services, regardless of their status [ … ] Africa’s young will continue to thrive.”

“Twenty-five years ago, a global revolution started in Cairo. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) for the first time enshrined individuals’ right to make their own reproductive choices freely and responsibly.”

To harness the demographic dividend for Africa, investment in the continent’s youth is needed, he urged. “When in possession of opportunities, education, safe environments, health care and services, regardless of their status as citizens, migrant, forcibly displaced or refugee, Africa’s young will continue to thrive.”

Africa is under-appreciated and under-represented

María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, said Africa’s tremendous contribution to the UN continues to be under-appreciated and the region’s voice under-represented in the international system.

“We have what could be called a ‘solidarity deficit’ – multilateral decision-making processes, policies and programmes that should be skewed towards the needs, views and priorities of Africa are not yet there.

We need durable solutions – voluntary return or repatriation as appropriate, but also resettlement and integration.

“We need durable solutions – voluntary return or repatriation as appropriate, but also resettlement and integration. And we need greater political and financial support for transitions at the humanitarian-development nexus. The Global Compacts on refugees and migrations adopted last year provide a solid basis for us to move forward, and I call on leaders in Africa and across the world to implement them both,” she urged.

Ensure access to sexual and reproductive health for migrants and refugees

“It is critical to ensure that migrants and refugees have access to health and education services, including sexual and reproductive health, while protecting the health of host populations through improved implementation of international health regulations, said Mabingue Ngom, UNFPA Regional Director for UNFPA West and Central Africa.

Ekhlas Ahmed, a youth representative and former refugee from Sudan, spoke of her experiences:

“Everything started with the voice … Once I found my voice, I never stopped using it to ensure that women, girls and young refugees are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

As part of the 2019 Africa Dialogue Series, the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, organized a side event at the United Nations Headquarters on 23 May on “Emerging issues from Africa ICPD Regional Reviews (Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development +5): Linkages between mobility, human dignity and refugees, returnees and IDPs – Celebrating successes and addressing challenges.”

The panel discussion was one of four Africa Dialogue Series 2019 side events organized around the 2019 theme of the African Union – “The Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.” Moderated by UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa Mabingue Ngom, under the chairmanship of UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Dereje Wordofa, it brought together a diverse panel.

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“All of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa. It starts with prevention. Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. We need to break the cycle of responding too late and too little,” said Mr. Guterres in his message commemorating Africa Day.

The UN chief pointed out that most of today’s conflicts are internal, triggered by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalization, disrespect for human rights and sectarian divides. Often, they are inflamed by violent extremism or provide the fuel for it.

But prevention goes far beyond focusing solely on conflict.

“The best means of prevention and the surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development. It is critical to continue building more effective and accountable institutions to address governance challenges, advance the rule of law and promote civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights,” he stressed.

As the international community has entered the second year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to tackle global poverty, inequality, instability and injustice, Mr. Guterres highlighted that Africa has adopted its own complementary and ambitious plan: Agenda 2063.

“For the people of Africa to fully benefit from these important efforts, these two agendas need to be strategically aligned,” he said.

All of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa

We can speed progress by doing more to provide opportunities and hope to young people.

Mr. Guterres referred to last month’s first-ever UN–African Union annual conference as “a unique opportunity to strengthen our partnership and establish a higher platform of cooperation,” saying: “Our work is based on four driving principles: mutual respect, solidarity, complementarity and interdependence.

Mr. Guterres said that the UN partnership with Africa is also rooted in a deep sense of gratitude.

“Africa provides the majority of United Nations peacekeepers around the world. African nations are among the world’s largest and most generous hosts of refugees. Africa includes some of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” he elaborated.

Turning to youth, he noted “We can speed progress by doing more to provide opportunities and hope to young people. More than three out of five Africans are under 35 years of age. Making the most of this tremendous asset means more investment in education, training, decent work and engaging young people in shaping their future.”

The UN chief also stressed: “We must also do our utmost to empower women so they can play a full role in sustainable development and sustainable peace. I am pleased that the African Union has consistently placed a special focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

He also reaffirmed his commitment as a partner, friend and committed advocate for changing the narrative about this diverse and vital continent.

“Crises represent at best a partial view. But, from a higher platform of cooperation, we can see the whole picture – one that recognizes the enormous potential and remarkable success stories throughout the African continent,” concluded the Secretary-General.

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