NGO advocates special court for gender-based violence cases

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Board of Trustees of Girls and Women Empowerment Network International (GWENI) has called for the establishment of a special court to handle gender-based violence cases.

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GWENI said such courts would significantly address delays in justice and curb the increasing violence against women and children.

The Co-convener of GWENI, Mrs. Adeola Ajayi, stated this at a programme; “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Domestic Violence against Women” held in Akure on Wednesday.

Ajayi also called for the provision of shelter for victims of gender-based violence, mainly women and children to avoid incidents of stigmatization.

“Often, families of survivors find it difficult to support them and ensure that justice is served due to the rigorous procedures of our legal system

“There is an urgent need for the government to establish special courts specifically for violators of gender-based violence and prosecute the accused accordingly.

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“We need the government to also provide shelter for survivors so that they will not immediately go back to the house and be killed by the perpetrators of such a heinous act.

“Also, a special response team should be cited in all the agencies that deal with issues of gender-based violence, especially, we want such a unit in Amotekun Corps too,” she stated.

She explained that the provision of special courts would help in the quick dispensation of justice and reduce the issue of stigmatization.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), Mrs. Bolanle Afolabi, identified poverty as the major cause of gender-based violence.

Afolabi, while speaking on different forms of violence, urged survivors to always speak up to prevent future occurrence.

“One of the major problems we face in the execution of the VAPP law is the family of the survivor begging for the offender, especially when they are of the same family or the family of survivors collecting money from the offender to kill the case,” she said.

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Also speaking, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State urged women to ensure that they were properly engaged and should not depend on anyone for survival, but be self-reliant.

Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Mrs. Bosede Osamaye, said: “Poverty is the root of most of the gender-based crimes we have. If you link up to most of these violence, poverty is the root cause.

“The first thing to curb this violence is conviction to be self-reliant, don’t depend on anybody for survival.

“Self-confidence, self-reliant. It’s very rare for a woman working to be abused. Speak out and seek help,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by security officers, state government officials, NGOs, women groups among others.

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