The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged Oyo State Government to set up Special Courts to handle cases of sexual and gender-based violences in the state.
Its State Coordinator, Mrs Olamide Akintayo, made the plea on Monday during an advocacy visit to Dr Babs Oduyoye, the Special Adviser to Gov. Seyi Makinde on Political Matters, in Ibadan.
Akintayo said that establishment of such courts would ease the current long and most times exhausting struggle of access to justice by victims in the regular courts.
According to her, the advocacy visit is to present a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting with the theme: “Unite, End Violence Against Women and Girls”.
She said that the communique contained resolutions/ recommendations that would curb Human Right abuses, especially issues pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence.
The NHRC coordinator advised the state government to take urgent steps in strengthening all enforcement mechanisms of the existing laws.
This, she said, would enable the government to build trust and confidence in the minds of its citizens on the ability of the state to ensure justice for victims.
Akintayo said that such steps would bring all the perpetrators to justice, thereby, serve as a deterrent for future offenders.
She said the move would also motivate and encourage hard work by first responders in doing their best to provide necessary care and support for victims, as well as, seek justice through legal means.
“The judiciary, as a matter of urgency, should be engaged adequately to create room for accelerated hearing on cases of violence against women and girls,” the coordinator said.
Akintayo added that other judicial procedures could bring about a speedy delivery of justice for victims.
She appealed to the state government to consider the setting up of a “one stop center” for victims, as contained in the recommendations of the stakeholders.
Akintayo said that facilities at the center should include shelters, medical services, trauma and counselling units, psycho-social support with trained personnel, legal assistance and adequate security.
According to her, this will go a long way in reducing the pain of moving victims around institutions in search of assistance.
“In addition, the state government, through the Ministry of Health, should ensure the continuous availability of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEO), as well as, other cocktail of drugs for survivors of sexual violence,” she said.
NAN reports that other areas of resolutions recommended by the NHRC and the stakeholders included improved economic empowerment and intensifying of public awareness/sensitization.
Responding, Oduyoye commended NHRC for promoting its course in protecting human rights, especially issue concerning women and gender-based violence.
He promised to deliver the communique, on how to end violence against women and girls, to Gov. Seyi Makinde.
