A Non-Governmental Organization, the
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Justice Network in conjunction With USAID-SCALE, has called on Osun State Government, under the Leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke for full implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL) in the State.
The Non-Governmental Organization, made this call, on Thursday October 19th, 2023, at a Sensitization session with media practitioners and journalists, Osogbo, Osun state capital.
Speaking at the gathering, the Executive Director of Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance (CAI4SR), Mrs Eni Ayeni, said that there is a need for the government to have a specific agency or ministry that will oversee the activities relating to GBV cases in the state.
Ayeni noted that the absence of a coordinating agency to oversee the cases related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the State has made Osun lag behind other states.
She explained that the primary focus of the program is to advocate for the full implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL) in Osun State which were domesticated In 2018 and 2021 respectively in Osun State.
She said that several crucial components of these laws are currently not in place in the state.
She urged the government to create more Court rooms, designation of specialized courts for handling of SGBV Cases to avoid Justice delay.
Ayeni noted that it is important for government to create a sexual offenders register to track and monitor convicted individuals to ensure they don’t commit further offenses and safeguarding potential victims.
According to her, “We are advocating
for two laws and their full implementation, the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL) there are certain things in those laws that are not in place in Osun State that we are trying to advocate the government should put in place.
“Today, we engaged the media and journalists in Osun state for them to use their platform to push these advocacy ask to the relevant policy makers for full implementation.
“We require a Functional Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC). Although this is in place at the state specialist Hospital, currently but non-functional. Advocates are urging the government to ensure that the SARC is fully operational to provide critical support to survivors of SGBV” She noted.
However, the organization’s Board of Director member, Dr. Benjamin Oluropo urged journalists and media practitioners in the State to use their platforms to raise awareness and drive the necessary advocacy to prompt the government to act.
Oluropo emphasized that these actions are essential steps toward a safer and more secure environment for the residents.
Photo of the event…
He said CAI4SR, Agbami Farms, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lawyers Alert (LA), League of Women Voters Of Nigeria, Legal Awareness For Nigerian Women, and Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IFWYD) and other collaborators remains committed to working alongside the government and the media to ensure the full implementation of these critical laws, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure Osun State.
Recalled that the Osun state government passed the bill of Violence against persons (Prohibition) law, in October 11, 2021, signed by former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.