Oyo promises to take sexual offenders to court

According to Mrs. Toyin Balogun, the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, the state government would not hold back when it comes to pursuing criminal charges against those who commit acts of sexual and gender-based violence.

At a one-day stakeholder sensitization meeting on the SGBV and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project, which was conducted in the state capital of Ibadan, the commissioner disclosed this.

Balogun emphasized that the state’s current regulations forbade people from hiding out in areas to commit such absurd crimes.

She noted that since the Sexual and Gender-Based Agency/Referral Center Laws and the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law had been enacted, anyone found guilty of sexual assault in the state would be subject to legal consequences.

The commissioner said as policymakers, “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.”

Balogun stated further that “our collective responsibility is 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.”

After stating that SGBV knew no bounds, the commissioner went on to say that it has an impact on people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.

Balogun claims that it is an infringement on human rights and dignity, which flourish under conditions of inequality, willpower, and impunity.

As a result, she stated, victims need to be provided with easily available, survivor-centered resources, such as safe housing, counseling, legal assistance, and healthcare.

In order to guarantee that victims received belief, validation, and support upon coming out, Balogun further stated that the stigma and silence surrounding SGBV should be eradicated.

Earlier in her speech, Mrs. Dolapo Popoola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, urged all involved parties to come together as one team in order to equip themselves with the knowledge, resources, and empathy required to confront these damaging customs and injustices.

“By uniting, we can create safer communities and promote the worth and welfare of every person,” she emphasized.