Unity Bank MD Advocates Policy Actions Against Gender-Based Violence

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A call for a comprehensive policy action to dismantle the structures that enable gender-based violence in Nigeria has been made by the Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs Tomi Somefun.

“I urge policymakers to enact stringent laws against gender-based violence, ensuring swift and severe consequences for perpetrators. Our homes and various organisations must also be a catalyst for change, inspiring others to follow suit,” the banker said at the premiere of a new movie, BECKMA, in Lagos.

Mrs Somefun, represented at the event by Unity Bank’s Group Head of Compliance, Mrs Patricia Ahunanya, citing a recent study by UNDP in Nigeria, pointed out that, “9 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 had suffered sexual assault at least once in their lifetime and 31 per cent had experienced physical violence.”

She argued that, “Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue, but a societal ill that demands our collective attention. It is high time for us to step forward and advocate for comprehensive policy actions that will dismantle the structures allowing such atrocities to persist.”

BECKMA, which premiered at the Ebony Life Cinema, was produced by ARDA Development Communications Incorporated. The flick highlights issues of gender-based violence and driving positive change in society.

The Unity Bank chief, while lauding ARDA Development Communications for its initiative to promote gender equality and empowerment in line with SDG5, assured of the bank’s commitment to sustainable initiatives and further collaborative initiatives and advocacy programmes for the elimination of gender-based violence.