Oyo government applauds NHRC on activism against GBV
[files] Makinde. Photo/facebook/OfficialSeyiMakinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, applauded the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the excellent work it had been doing towards ending gender-based violence in the state.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Babatunde Oduyoye, made the commendation while receiving the coordinator and members of the Oyo State chapter of NHRC.
Oduyoye, also received on behalf of the governor, a communiqué issued at the final validation meeting by the stakeholders. The theme of the meeting was “Unite, End Violence Against Women and Girls” to commemorate the 2022 International Human Rights Day.”
He urged the NHRC team to remain focused and work with the Oyo State House of Assembly to ensure the enactment of laws towards protecting human rights.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the NHRC in Oyo State, Mrs. Olamide Akintayo, urged the state government to consider setting up of special courts to handle cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
Akintayo said the establishment of such courts would ease the current long and most times exhausting struggle of access to justice by victims in regular courts.
According to her, the advocacy visit is to present a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting. She said the communique contained resolutions/recommendations that would curb human rights abuses, especially issues pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence.
The NHRC coordinator stressed that state government should also take urgent steps in strengthening all enforcement mechanisms of existing laws to build trust and confidence in the minds of its citizens on the ability of the state to ensure justice for victims.
She added that such steps would bring all perpetrators to justice, thereby serving as a deterrent to future offenders. She further said that the move would motivate and encourage the hardwork of first responders doing their best to provide necessary care and support for victims as well as seek justice through legal means.
