By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Piqued by the incessant account of sexual violations that pervades the land, the Lagos State House of Assembly mulls legal backing for the creation of an agency on gender and sexual violence to expedite dispensation of justice for victims.
This was the main thrust of “A Bill for a law to provide for the Lagos State Domestic and sexual violence agency, the establishment of the sex offenders register and for other connected purposes.”
Major stakeholders were however, on ground to grace the occasion signaling how germane the bill is to the protection of societal values; this includes the State’s First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs Cecilia Dada.
The wife of the Speaker, Mrs Falilat Obasa who was represented by Hon Tijani, the representative of the State Chief Judge, Justice Sherifat Sholabo and DCP Yetunde Longe held forth for the Commissioner of Police and the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo were among the dignitaries.
In his keynote speech, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa stated that gender based violence was counter productive and at variance with the sanctity of life.
The Speaker who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun said, “It is unfortunate that domestic violence are on the rise. The issue is anti-thetical to sanctity of life.”
In his overview of the Bill, the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade said the purpose of the Bill was to regulate the activities of sexual violence and restore sanity in various homes.
He added that section 3 of the Bill which deals with establishment of an agency that would ensure that the objectives of the law are realized.
According to him section 17 deals with establishment of sex offenders Register in Lagos State.
The Register shall bear the record of all sex convicts in Lagos State and shall be maintained by the domestic and sexual violence Agency.
The proviso seeks to name and shame the offenders thereby serving as deterrents for any likely violators.
In her welcome address, the House Committee Chairman on WAPA, Hon. Mojisoluwa Alli-Macaulay said the essence of the Bill was “to protect victims of sexual and gender based violence crimes from discrimination and stigmatization; ensure that victims of domestic and sexual violence crimes have access to medical, legal and counseling assistance.
She added, “It is believed that this is indeed the best time to consolidate on our gains and create institutions to appropriately prevent and respond.”
The Chairperson of FIDA, Lagos State chapter, Mrs Phil Nneji applauded the State for the iniative but suggested that ‘victim’ in the Bill should be replaced with ‘survivor.’
She also advised that the Register should be displayed publicly, saying that is one of the ways to meet up with international standard.
The Committee chairman, Hon. Alli-Macaulay also led other dignitaries,in the display of placards to drum home the call for a definite end to rape and other sexual violence,that pervades the land.Inscriptions on the placards wielded by the dignitaries includes; “Lagos is a land of Justice and Progress, We must take a decisive stand against rape and all forms of gender based violence”,”The abuser must not go Scot-free. It’s time to shame the rapist not the victims”,”Do you really need to be a victim before you take action against Rape or GBV?” Amongst others.
Speaking on section 5 (2b), Titi Akoza from Center for 21st century Issues, opined that philanthropic gestures from public and private sectors should be separated.She argued that the philanthropy of public and private sectors differ,to avoid interference and conflict of interests.
Alhaja Onitiri Kuye from Alimosho wanted sex offenders especially men should have their manhood not only castrated but totally removed to prevent a recurrence of such engaging in the dastardly act again.
She also advised government to expedite action on quick dispensation of justice.
Mrs Onasanya Adeyosola a representative of the TUC women commission called for protection of victims who are willing to voice out, saying threat to their lives should be adequately looked into.
A representative of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) Mr. Babatunde Safir was quick to canvass for inclusion of the office in the would be agency’s board citing the omission in section 5(2) of the bill.
In the proposed law, there shall be a response team with a legal backing and having the teeth to bite as stated by the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade.
Members of the response team according to section 14 (2) are: Divisional Police Officer(s) in the family support units of the police nominated or as directed by the Commissioner of police in the State.
Other members shall include, Director of Public Prosecutions the Director of the Office of the Public Defender.
Director of the Direcotortate for Citizens’Rights Director in charge of Women Affairs in the ministry of Women Affay and Poverty Alleviation
High Court Judge presiding over the family court in the State judiciary
Magistrate presiding over the family court
Officer in charge of Child protection in the ministry of youth and social development
Officer in charge of Reproductive Health and Nutrition in the ministry of health and in the primary health care board.
Director in charge of co-currilar activities in the ministry of education.
A representative of the Sexual Assault Referral Agencies in Lagos State.
There Non-Governmental Organisations with at least ten years expertise in the field of sexual and gender based violence
The Executive Secretary of Lagos Public interest Law partnership and two representatives of the media to be determined by the Agency.