Oyo Gov’t Vows To Prosecute Sexual Offenders

The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun has vowed that the State Government will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV).

The Commissioner made this known during a day stakeholders sensitization meeting on SGBV and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP) held at Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovative  Studies, Awolowo Road, Bodija, Ibadan.

She reiterated that under the existing laws in the State, there is no hidden place for perpetrators of such preposterous act.

Mrs. Balogun noted that Violence Against Person Prohibition Law (VAPP), Sexual and Gender Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws had been signed into laws, hence perpetrators of SGBV in the State are punishable under these existing laws.

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 Preparedness plan from the perspective of sexual and gender based violence.

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 and Stakeholders chosen from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Justice, and Directors of Social Services from the 33 LGAs in State.