To curb rate of violence and to protect women, children, Persons Living with Disabilities and others against all kinds of violence, the Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the ‘Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill’ into law.
The bill which was sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Community Development, Honourable Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, lawmaker representing Ogbomoso North State Constituency was passed during the plenary on Friday.
Recall that insideoyo.com had earlier reported that the Westminster foundation for Democracy (WID) in partnership with Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF) supported the review, strengthening and passage of the bill.
Speaking shortly after the passage of the bill, Oladeji appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for given his support for the passage of the bill.
While appreciating the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Adebo Ogundoyin for being gender friendly, she commended the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) for their support.
Oladeji who is the only female lawmaker in the 9th Assembly also sought media support for awareness and enlightenment about the law so residents of Oyo state can be aware of the law. She also gave the reason for sponsoring the bill.
“The recent increase in the rate of child abuse, kidnapping, rape, domestic violence, gangsterism etc. gave great concern. As the saying goes, where there is no law, there is no sin. Where laws are in place, people are well guided. Whoever flouts the law will face the consequences.” she said.
Also speaking the Country Representative, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, commended the Oyo State House of Assembly for joining other states in domesticating the law.
Olorunmola who stated why Westminster Foundation for Democracy supported the Assembly said Oyo state is the 18th state to domesticate the bill.
“The support for this bill was funded to ensure that we have an inclusive society. It is done with funding from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
“We observed that during the COVID-19 lockdown, there was a huge increase in the level of violence particularly against girls and we saw that there was demand from the citizens for the situation to be addressed.
“We saw that the Oyo State House of Assembly was very proactive in ensuring that they provide an enabling environment for the people by making provision suitable law for protection of persons. The bill is actually designed to protect every citizen whether male or female in every area of life.” he said.
