By Olanrewaju Bello
The Founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation, SAAB Foundation, Sa’adat Bibire, has lifted the lid on his reason for campaigning against rape and gender-based violence.
According to Sa’adat, she took the decision to launch her foundation in 2015 to campaign against any form of gender-based violence and rape after losing her beloved friend to a rape incident.
Sa’adat who is a graduate of Mass Communication and the daughter of Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Political Matters, made the disclosure while speaking with our reporter on Saturday, during the foundation’s annual rally themed; “Unite against gender-based violence.”
“This is the time for everyone to stand up and act against gender-based violence and rape. It’s becoming alarming and it’s a stigma in the society on the unfortunate victims.
“According to statistics obtained from the Ministry of Women Affairs, at least 1,000 ladies and women were raped in the previous year but for this year, we are having less than that figure with the help of our advocacy.
“I implore the government to re-implement the laws that bring rapists and molesters to book and I also beseech the women and ladies that are being molested to speak out for themselves so as to bring the culprits to book,” she urged.
Sa’adat, however called on well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to support and sponsor subsequent programmes of the foundation.
The rally which commenced 10am at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin had about 100 people in attendance as the cluster went through Challenge, Unity road and Taiwo road before rounding up at the Kwara State Stadium Complex.
Among the side attractions at the event were dance, talk show, drama, free counselling, free check-up, HIV test and many more.
