The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, has stated that government must expedite the launching of new law and policies on preventing gender-based violence.
Obasa, who spoke at the opening of the Women Arise for Change Initiative 2-day sensitization meeting on the implementation of the Guideline on Gender based violence and young person in Nigeria in Lagos, stated there is the need to step up the formulation of a state action plan on the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence; raise legislators’ and decision makers’ attention and sensitivity to gender issues
He stated this has become necessary because domestic abuse and violence are on the increase, not only in Nigeria, but throughout the world.
“Drawing up comprehensive, feasible and effective laws and policies for preventing violence as well as creating specific, enforceable and accountable regulations and measures to prevent gender-based violence should be paramount”, he stated.
He stated at a critical moment like this, there is the need to implement international conventions and fulfill commitments to strengthen the state’s obligation and responsibility to eliminate gender-based violence and eradicate its root causes as well as gender discrimination and gender inequality by reviewing all existing laws and policies with a gender perspective.
As stated by Obasa, the Lagos State House of Assembly passed a law on domestic violence in 2007 saying this is a signal that government and all stakeholders can no longer accept the adornment of domestic violence in the garb of “family affair” but an offence punishable under the law.
“This law is projected at providing information about support services and encouraging citizens to break the culture of silence by reporting cases of violations and pursuing criminal litigation to punish offenders.
"The Lagos State Domestic Violence Law made adequate provisions for the granting of protection orders to prevent and protect victims from violence”, he stated. He added the House also enacted the Gender Equal Rights Law aimed at promoting and defending the rights of women.
“But beyond that, these laws cannot work by themselves except we create the framework that enforces our laws. That is what we are standing for; and in that respect, we talk about issues that relate to s3xual and gender violence. It is not a perfect piece of legislation”.
He however stated that prevention and elimination of gender-based violence require a multi-faceted approach. “It will require increased advocacy and partnerships between the international community, governments, multilateral organizations, private sector companies, and grassroots advocates.
“It will require empowering women and girls to speak up for themselves and educating men and boys to speak up and speak out for their mothers, wives, partners, sisters, and daughters.
“It will also require adequate legal and judicial frameworks aimed at promoting and protecting rights of women and the girl child. This, in my view, will go a long way in ensuring a more secure and safe country for females and indeed, for all Nigerians."
Speaking while delivering her welcome address, the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin stated the crucial meeting is aimed at disseminating the guidelines on gender based violence and on young persons in the country.
Okei-Odumakin stated that gender violence occur at different levels in the society, and it is not limited to any group or class in the society, and can be in the form of physical torture or psychological torture, She added that, gender violence has shot to a high level in the society, and there is the need to protect the youth, so they can play their role as expected of them in the comity of nation.
Dr Okei-Odumakin maintained that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are youths, and that was why the youths were the focus of the seminar, so they can serve as the brain box for the society, “the youths have to be involve to bring about the change, so that there will be peace in the society.” She added that the organization will work hard to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.