Wife of Dr. Wole Oluyede APC Aspirant, Ekiti State
By Adewumi Ademiju, Ado Ekiti
‘To curb intimidation and sexual harassment of women in the society, relevant stakeholders must put heads together for proper orientation of women and reformation of abnormal cultural practices.’
This declaration was made by Mrs. Olukemi Oluyede, wife of an Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Aspirant, Dr Wole Oluyede.
She made the remarks while speaking with journalists today at the campaign directorate office of her husband in Ado Ekiti.
“Female children must be encouraged in many ways to achieve all their ambitions. The role of women in home building cannot be overemphasised,” she said.
These roles according to Mrs. Oluyede, are extensive and vital, but can only be successfully achieved through confidence built through self-esteem, uprightness and a good sense of direction.
The future of female children lies on the upbringing of the parents but mostly mothers. She explained that a mother who is expected to be the role model of the female child must live a fulfilled life.
“Society needs a reverse from the old cultural practice which relegates women to the background. Women should not be seen or treated as recreational toys,’’ expressed Mrs. Oluyede.
The level of ignorance put upon by some women does not help the plight of gender equality.
“Some women expect to live negative lives and propel their male counterparts to treat them as recreational toys, other women due to ignorance believe they must live irresponsible lives to make ends meet,” she lamented.
Mrs. Oluyede who emphasised that women should no longer be ignorant to the fact that their gender does not limit their capabilities, implored stakeholders to begin to enlighten women on how to develop confidence in themselves. “Women should be able to work and rely on their own merit,” she insisted.
She disclosed that her husband, Dr Wole Oluyede in his Ekiti Rebirth Agenda, has adopted laudable programmes that would take Ekiti women to favourable heights.
The programme according to her would be put in place as soon as he, Oluyede is elected as governor of the state in 2018. She said women, under Ekiti Rebirth Agenda, would be self-sufficient and also be sources of pride within and outside the state.
On sexual harassment of women, Oluyede who equally charged women on proper and good conduct noted that this would enable them to lay good foundations for self-development and self-actualisation. This according to her would enable women to stand up for themselves and others. “Women must not see themselves as entertainment commodities,” she insisted.
Recalled that this mindset begins from home, she enjoined parents/guardians to educate their girl child and inculcate self-discipline, decency and uprightness in them before attaining maturity.
“In developed countries, women are treated with respect and dignity; they believe that if you can dream it you can achieve it. I encourage women in Nigeria to adopt the same mantra.” said Mrs. Oluyede.
There are decent ways of survival without succumbing to intimidation from men. “Women are not second fiddles in the developed countries, sexual harassment is not a joke there, and your gender should not be the basis of your promotion in life.
On roles of government and education to address the menace, the aspirant’s wife said: “The government too has its role to play by properly putting in place laws and statutes to deter and reprimand any perpetrator of gender violence. Educational institutions also have roles to play as well, by teaching both male and female students proper conducts and interpersonal relationship.
“Let’s keep encouraging our females, and teach them that they are not sexual objects”, she urged “Women can be focused and live an exemplary life worthy of emulation in the society at large”.
On a final note, she admonished women to build their confidence even though there may be some deterrence; but there will always be ways to survive, through hard work and dedication.”
