Ekiti State Family Court has settled 200 family and marriage cases between 2012 when it was established to date, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, has said.
She said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that 20 people were convicted of child neglect and deviance during the period.
According to her, the court has helped to reduce pressure on conventional courts and reduce marital disputes.
She assured the public of justice and fair play through the court, noting that a chief magistrate presided over it in accordance with the Child Rights Law.
Babafemi said the Governor Ayodele Fayose administration was committed to people’s well-being.
She said her ministry had been repositioned to ensure that women lived in an environment where there was justice, equity and respect for their rights.
The permanent secretary said the government would ensure a holistic development of women through educational, economic, social and political empowerment.
She added that the state would monitor gender responsiveness activities.
Babafemi said the government was committed to ensuring the survival and protection of children in preparation for adult life, as well as promoting the welfare of indigent citizens and persons living with disabilities.
“The ministry has started advocacy to encourage public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to make life meaningful for children and secure the nation’s future.
“The ministry has provided social welfare services, such as skill acquisition training centres, for 195 women.
“Arrangement is in the offing to train about-to-retire women civil servants in skills that can become their vocations after retirement,’’ she said.
According to her, the Erelu Adebayo Children’s Home at Iyin Ekiti and the crèche at the secretariat are some other institutions the government is using to boost social welfare services.
The permanent secretary said the government provided them to reduce the stress of nursing mothers in the workforce.
She said the model registry established by the ministry in 2007 had joined 1,152 people in holy matrimony.