VAPP Law: Oyo to present standard operating system

As part of efforts to ensure effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the Oyo State government has put together a blueprint to develop a Standard Operating System (SOP).

The step towards creating a standard SOP were put in place during a synergy meeting held to advance the implementation of the VAPP law in the state held for officials of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.

The Oyo State Roundtable synergy meeting which held at Bon Hotel, Ibadan, was sponsored by Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), with funding by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It was attended by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, and his counterpart from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Kafilat Olayiwola.

In his welcome remarks, the Country Representative in Nigeria, WFD, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, said the synergy meeting became necessary in view of the need to make the two ministries, among other stakeholders, to work together in the interest of the people of the state.

“This synergy meeting became very necessary for us to work with all the relevant stakeholders in Oyo state for them to bring their strengths together and not to work in isolation but to have a joint effort to address the ongoing implementation of the VAPP law which is an instrument that is well designed to see to an end the violence against women, girls and against every vulnerable people.

“It is important that the stakeholders that we, here present, work together and with one voice and with all their specialty to ensure that we have an effective implementation of the VAPP law in Oyo state.

“The takeaway from this synergy meeting is for us to see that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion and the Ministry of Justice are now working together effectively to support the implementation of the VAPP law in Oyo state to ensure that the survivors of Gender Based Violence get justice and also to see that the centres and structures that have been put in place by the process work effectively,” he said.

In her remark, WFD consultant, Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami, said the roundtable became imperative after observing that states where VAPP Law have been effective have coordinated synergy between the Ministry of Justice and Women Affairs.

In his goodwill message, Oyo State Commissioner of Justice who was represented by the Director, Civil Litigation and Advisory Services II, Mr Olatunji Thomas, said the meeting will “go a long way to impact and equip everyone adequately towards ensuring zero tolerance to sexual and Gender Based Violence and absolute prohibition of any form of violence in Oyo State.

“The two ministries must collaborate and work in togetherness in the best interest of the people of Oyo state if success will be achieved,” he said.