Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, has called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to achieve success in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in the state and the country at large.
Speaking at a one-day roundtable on the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Kwara state, organized by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with the Kwara state government and funded by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Justice Adebara said that the state House of Assembly had enacted the Violence Against Persons Law, marking a significant milestone in the fight against violence, discrimination, and abuse.
The CJ said that effective implementation of the law requires a coordinated effort among the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, the government, civil society organizations, and the general public.
Justice Adebara also said that each stakeholder is required to play a vital role in ensuring justice, enforcement, and community support.
He affirmed that the state judiciary would remain committed to the fair, diligent, and efficient enforcement of the law.
The Chief Judge noted that a practice direction would soon be established to provide clear procedural guidelines for handling sexual and gender-based violence cases, saying that selected High Court judges and magistrates would be designated to preside over violation matters.
Justice Adebara urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the laws are effectively implemented, promoting dignity and fostering a just society.
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Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Professor Jummai Audi, said that sexual and gender-based violence remains a serious human rights violation with devastating consequences for survivors.
She emphasized that the judiciary plays a critical role in addressing the injustice by ensuring that survivors experience a legal process that is fair and just.
In her paper presentation, Justice Peace Otti of the Anambra High Court stated that all hands must be on deck to bring an end to the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
She appealed to lawyers to put in more effort and ensure diligence in the prosecution of abuse cases.
Justice Otti expressed concern over the involvement of youth in rituals and other practices that lead them to such violations.
She also advised parents to create an environment of trust and confidence, enabling their children to speak out about violations against them.
Earlier in her address, the Founding Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Afolabi, called for the establishment of special courts to adjudicate cases related to sexual and gender-based violence.
She stated that based on the status of Kwara state in promoting issues affecting women, such designated courts would significantly reduce violence against women to a minimum level.
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