The permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Musa Istifanus has warned staff against gender exploitation and abuse, pointing out that such vices are consequential and negates equity of humanity.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking while declaring open a specialized sensitization working organized for staff of the Ministry on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Gender Mainstreaming, held in the conference Hall of the National Defence College, Abuja.
According to him “Sexual Exploitation and abuse represents a fundamental failure in the Society. It is an unacceptable breach of our fundamental rights and a deep betrayal of our core values”
He remarked that no society with conscience and tolerance would allow criminality to flourish by not ensuing that all women and men have equal access to control over resources and at all stages of development.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Joint Services Mrs. Olu Mustapha likened women and men in the human race, as “the two winged bird, explaining that one wing is female while the other is male and the bird cannot fly with one wing.’’ He said.
The lead speaker, Esther Mshelia spoke on ways of understanding gender, taking cognizance of social and legal increment and policies formulated from the United Nations down to the local laws in communities around the world.
She said it is necessary to finances equity social justice as well as inclusiveness in governance. As it relates to gender mainstreaming and protection of the rights and dignity of women and men and vice versa in the workplace.
Mr. Peter Mancha who spoke on Gender Base Violence said Sexual Abuse has many dimensions and there is need for every staff across the ladder to watch out for signs of abuse so as to take prompt and appropriate action.
He ascribed roles including communicating, resisting and acting promptly to prevent occurrence and recurrence in or outside the workplace.
Fatimah Yusuf /Maureen Ukoh
For: Director (P & PR)
27/8/2021
