THE SJN cluster in the company of other CSOs met with the Osun state Governor’s wife, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Titilayo Adeleke to discuss on the full implementation of VAPPL.
During the stakeholders meeting on Monday at the Local Government Service Commission Office Abeere, Her Excellency declared that SARC was a priority. She went further to state that coordination of SGBV cases, forming a rapid response team, creating more SARCs at different senatorial zones will also assist in curbing SGBV in the state.
While addressing the gathering, Mrs. Eni Ayeni, the Executive director of Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance (CAI4SR) mentioned that under the SCALE project, the SJN cluster is advocating for the full implementation of the VAPPL and ACJL to enhance speedy justice delivery system for survivors in the project states.
Also, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Titilola Adeleke assured the network of NGOs of her unflinching support to reduce Gender Based Violence to the barest minimum.
Mrs. Adeleke, disclosed that, efforts are in the offing to rid the State of the ugly trend.
She enjoined the NGOs to build stronger relationship with relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Women Affairs, Health, Justice, among others with a view to jointly fighting the menace.
The Osun Governor’s Wife, who expressed dissatisfaction towards the unlawful act maintained that Osun is determined to equip the Sexual Assault Referral Center located at Asubiaro Hospital, Osogbo, for public use.
Speaking in tandem with the Wife of the Governor, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Children and Social Affairs, Mrs. Abimbola Babatunde lauded the Governor’s efforts in ensuring that women and children are not trampled upon, observing that the obnoxious act of Gender Based Violence, among which are rape and child abuse, require drastic measures to curtail.
She solicited the support of the Wife of the Governor in the area of security personnel to arrest the GBV culprits for proper prosecution.
In his submission, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Matters, Mrs Eniola Omotosho, appreciated the Governor’s Wife and the attendees for supporting war against GBV for overall development of the society.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr Abayomi Oni, explained that the SARC ssituated at Asubiaro would be fully operational by next January 2024. He committed to the posting of doctors and nurses to the SARC by 2024. He further explained that just like every other sector, more medical personnel is required in health sector to enhance productivity at the centre.
Speakers at the programme expressed regret over Osun State being on top, in the list of rape cases in the Federation, seeking the support of the Governor’s Wife in ensuring speedy justice for the survivors of GBV.
Other stakeholders at the family meeting, to rid Osun State of Gender Based Violence, were; SA to the Governor on Children Affairs, Hon Temilade Kholid Olulokungboye; Chairperson of the Association of Women Journalists in Osun, Mrs Motunrayo Ayegbayo and the immediate Chairperson of the Association, Mrs Toyin Adeoye; the Secretary of the Union, Mrs Abisola Ariwodola; the Iyaloja-General in the State, Mrs Mary Oyebode and the PDP Women Leader, Mrs Alice Otunla, among others.
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