Edo First Lady and Chairperson of Edo State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City.
She reassured that the state government is committed to eliminating all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, as well as children and persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Obaseki said the special courts would accelerate the process of justice delivery in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring more convictions to serve as deterrents to offenders.
Restating the government’s efforts at ending all forms of sexual and gender-based violence in the state, she reassured that special judges would be assigned to the courts.
On his part, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said the state signed the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Bill into law to demonstrate its commitment to addressing gender-based violence.
He added: “We also launched a sexual offenders’ register, which serves as a tool to shame all persons who have been convicted in gender-based violence. We have linked our register with the national register. We are driven by the need to ensure that those who perpetrate gender-based violence are apprehended and made to face justice strictly.”
