The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, has said the state government will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The commissioner made this known during a one-day stakeholders sensitisation meeting on SGBV and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project, held in Ibadan, the State capital.

Balogun reiterated that the existing laws in the state did not allow hidden places for perpetrators of such preposterous acts.

She said the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law, Sexual and Gender-Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws, had been signed into law, hence perpetrators of SGBV in the state were punishable under these existing laws.

The commissioner said as policymakers, “we should not be onlookers but social architects striving for systemic change to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable through fair and effective legal systems, regardless of their social status or position of power.”

Balogun stated further that “our collective responsibility is to brainstorm against future outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious and communicable diseases as well as preparedness plan from the perspective of sexual and gender-based violence.”

The commissioner, who said SGBV knew no boundaries, added that it affected people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds.

According to Balogun, it is a violation of human rights and dignity, which thrives in environments where inequalities, determination and impunity exist.

She therefore said victims must be supported with accessible and survivor-centered services, including healthcare, legal aids, counselling and safe shelter.

Balogun added that silence and stigma surrounding SGBV should be broken to ensure that victims were met with belief, validation, and support when they came forward.

Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Dolapo Popoola, charged all participating stakeholders to unite in a shared mission to equip themselves with the knowledge, tools, and compassion needed to combat these harmful practices and injustices.

She stressed, “With oneness, we can build safer communities and advocate for the dignity and well-being of all individuals.”