The Oyo State Government has vowed that it will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, made this known during a stakeholders sensitisation meeting on SGBV and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP) held at Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies, Awolowo Road, Bodija, Ibadan.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Balogun reiterated that under the existing laws in the state, there is no hidden place for perpetrators of such preposterous act.
The commissioner noted that Violence Against Person Prohibition Law (VAPP), Sexual and Gender-Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws have been signed into law, hence, perpetrators of SGBV in the state are punishable under the existing laws.
She stated: “As policy makers, we should not be onlookers but social architects striving for systemic change to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable through fair and effective legal systems, regardless of their social status or position of power.
“It is our collective responsibilities to brainstorm against future outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious and communicable diseases as well as preparedness plan from the perspective of sexual and gender based violence.”
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The commissioner, who said SGBV knows no boundaries, noted that it affects people of all ages, genders, sexual orientationsand socio-economic backgrounds, stressing that it is a violation of human rights and dignity which thrives in environments where inequalities, determination and impunity exist.
She, therefore, affirmed that victims must be supported with accessible and survivor-centered services, including healthcare, legal aids, counseling and safe shelter, explaining that the silence and stigma surrounding SGBV should be broken to ensure that victims are met with belief, validation and support when they come forward.
Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Dolapo Popoola, charged all participating stakeholders to unite in a shared mission to equip themselves with the knowledge, tools, and compassion needed to combat harmful practices and injustice.
She stressed that with oneness, safer communities can be built, and the dignity and well-being of all individuals can be advocated.
