The Oyo state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon (Mrs) Toyin Balogun has vowed that the State Government will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV), particularly now that approvals for Mobile Courts to try SGBV cases have been secured from the centre and will be cascaded down and domesticated by the Commissioners for Women Affairs & Commissioners for Justice in the 36 states of the federation.
The Commissioner made this known during a days Stakeholders Sensitization Seminar on SGBV with relation to COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP) held at Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovative Studies, Awolowo Road, Bodija, Ibadan on tuesday the 7th of May 2024.
She reiterated that under the existing laws in the State, there is no hiding place for perpetrators of such heinous act.Its therefore a policy position of the number 1 citizen of the state,His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde,his amiable wife the First Lady Her Excellency Tamunominini Makinde,the Commissioner for Women Affairs and indeed his entire cabinet that Oyo State’s position on Sexual and Gender Based Violence is one exemplified by zero tolerance
Mrs. Balogun noted that the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law (VAPP), Sexual and Gender Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws have been signed into laws, hence perpetrators of SGBV in the State are punishable under these existing laws and ignorance of said laws is not a tenable defence
The Commissioner opined that 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.
Mrs. Balogun stated further that it is our collective responsibilities to brainstorm against future outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious and communicable diseases as well as put in place appropriate preparedness plans while taking cognisance of the perspectives and implications of sexual and gender based violence as mandatorily provided for by the World Health Organisation( WHO) in this collaborative intervention by both the State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Inclusion and the Ministry of Health
The Commissioner said that “SGBV knows no boundaries, it affects people of all ages, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds, stressing that it is a violation of human rights and dignity which thrives in environments where inequalities, determination and impunity exists”.
She therefore enjoined that victims must be supported with accessible and survivor-centered services, including healthcare, legal aids, counseling and safe shelter, adding that 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 these harmful practices and injustice, stressing that, with oneness we can build safer communities and advocate for the dignity and well-being of all individuals.
Papers delivered at the sensitization meeting includes Understanding Legal Framework/Prosecution for SGBV Offenders, Stakeholders Collaboration for effective Mitigation of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), Implementing Psychosocial Support for Victims of SGBV and Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Abiamo)in the context of SGBV.
Present at the meeting were the Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Hon. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Dolapo Popoola,Chief Mrs Dairo a philanthropist and female gender advocate,Dr Mrs Joke Akinseye the CEO of Aderoju Ayoade Adekanmbi Foundation and a renowned gender advocate and Stakeholders specified by the World Health Organisation to be involved from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Justice, Gender Pillar Lead for the State,and Directors of Education and Social Services from the 33 LGAs in State.