As part of efforts to strengthen the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the Oyo State House of Assembly has initiated steps to amend the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Agency and Referral Centre Law, 2022.
Leading the motion on the floor of the Assembly, Hon. Olufunke Comforter Olajide, who represents Ibadan North I State Constituency, highlighted the urgent need to address the structural and administrative challenges hindering the law’s effectiveness since its passage.
The motion, co-sponsored by Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin (Ibarapa East), Hon. S.A. Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Hon. A.A. Ogundare (Surulere/Ogo Oluwa), and Hon. A.O. Babalola (Ibadan North East I), seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the current framework to enable a more integrated and survivor-centered approach to justice and support services.
“We enacted the SGBV Response Agency Law in 2022 to protect vulnerable populations and ensure justice for survivors across the state.
“However, glaring gaps have since emerged, particularly fragmentation between the Response Agency and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) located at the Jericho Nursing Home,” Hon. Olajide recalled.
The disconnect, she noted, undermines the envisioned “one-stop” model that should provide survivors with seamless access to medical, legal, and psychosocial support. Survivors are often forced to navigate disjointed services, delaying justice and healing.
To remedy these issues, the motion proposes a major structural realignment including relocating the SGBV Response Agency from the Ministry of Justice to the Office of the First Lady of Oyo State.
“Placing the Agency under the Office of the First Lady would elevate its public profile, bolster political will, and enable integrated interventions through wider donor and development partner engagement,” Hon. Olajide explained.
The motion also calls for the appointment of an Executive Secretary with relevant technical expertise, selected on a rotational basis from among the Ministries of Justice, Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, and Health.
It was gathered that the change aims to promote better coordination and inter-ministerial collaboration in managing SGBV cases.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to commence the process of amending the 2022 law to reflect the proposed structural changes.
The state legislature also directed the House Committees on Women Affairs and Public Petitions, and Justice and Judiciary to collaborate with the Ministries of Justice, Women Affairs, Social Inclusion, and other key stakeholders, mandate the Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit to assess the implementation progress of the existing law and recommend further improvements.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in his remarks, praised the initiative as timely and transformative.
“By strengthening coordination and putting survivors at the center of service delivery, we are ensuring that justice is not delayed and that no victim walks alone,” he stated.