The Oyo state government on Thursday inaugurated the State Sexual and Gender-Based Response team in furtherance of its efforts to reduce to the barest minimum, incidences of violence in any form and to ensure the provisions of the Violence Against Women Prohibition Law passed by the state House of Assembly in 2016 is adequately implemented.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that the 16-man committee was inaugurated at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Justice by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwaseun Abimbola, who charged the team, not to see itself as a committee but a quick response team that will holistically approach issues of violence and stand firm in the face of obnoxious cultural sentiments.
The Attorney General stated that the set up of the team is long overdue as there have been many reported cases of assault in various forms with so many still unreported, adding that the job of the committee is not only to give palliative measures but also to engage in advocacy and preventive measures.
According to him, gender-based violence is not about the female alone as anyone could be a victim of gender-based violence. He highlighted Sections 357 and 358 of the Criminal Code as well as Section 34 of the Child Rights law as important provisions.
He further urged the team to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Violence Against Women Prohibition Law and to set up a guideline of activities so that the team will have a smooth operation and advised that everyone speaks with one voice on issues so that there will be a manifest success in the operation of the team.
He urged that the response team resolves all issue under the provisions of the law and remember that justice is a three-way street which must consider the victim, the society and the offender, urging that the end must come to an era where offenders will only receive a slap on the wrist as there is no family business in the issue of abuse.
