“Incest Rate in Osun Alarming” – Women’s Group Engages Religious Leaders for Solutions

The Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) has raised alarm over the rising rate of incest and sexual violence in Osun State, calling for urgent intervention from religious leaders to help curb the trend.

During a two-day consultative workshop with Muslim and Christian leaders in Osogbo, CEWHIN’s Executive Director, Mrs. Atinuke Odukoya, stressed the need for collective action to address the disturbing rise in gender-based violence.

“Looking at the data, the rate of gender and sexual violence in Osun is alarming. Osun State has a high rate of incest,” she said. “We are engaging key stakeholders like religious leaders who shape our norms, behaviours, and attitudes. If prevention starts from their platforms, the larger society will begin to see why such acts must not be part of our culture.”

Odukoya explained that CEWHIN’s partnership with faith leaders aims to promote preventive strategies that will create safer communities for women and girls.

One of the facilitators, Professor Habeebat Oladosu-Usman of the University of Ibadan, urged religious leaders to speak out and educate their congregations on what constitutes violence against women and girls. “We must stop the culture of silencing women,” she said. “The barriers are too many—we need to break them.”

CEWHIN’s in-house trainer, Dr. Ayeni Oluropo, added that participants would develop a practical action plan after the training. “The plan will be implemented and closely monitored to ensure real impact in reducing incest and gender-based violence,” he stated.

The initiative, according to CEWHIN, is part of its ongoing efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence through faith-based collaboration and sustained community engagement.