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By Ijeoma Obioma.
Stakeholders of SGBV Justice Network (SJN) in Benue State have advocated the need to address limited access to justice available to survivors and victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The decision followed the 16-day of activism against gender based violence, SJN stressed the need to review the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, (VAPP) laws and ensure full implementation of VAPP and Administration of Criminal Justice, (ACJ) Laws to provide justice for survivors and punishment for perpetrators in line with provision of the Laws.
The network made the call during a Multi-Stakeholders meeting on Access to Justice for SGBV Survivors, organized by SGBV Justice Network Cluster with support from USAID SCALE Project.
The National President, Nigeria League of Women Voters, (NILOWV), Irene Awunah, representing the SJN cluster, expressed worry that survivors hardly get the required justice.
She attributed the development to non-functional Sexual Assault Referral Center, (SARC), ineffective implementation of the VAPP and ACJL
Other factors, according to her are; unavailability of a gender department at the Ministry of Justice, absence of a budget line for both VAPP and ACJL, delay in review of the VAPP and unavailability of specific courts and or family courts to try SGBV cases among others.
She explained that the cluster also wants expansion of the jurisdiction of Magistrates to try rape cases for speedy justice delivery as well as the designation of a special or family courts to try SGBV cases only to to provide survivors with the needed privacy and confidence to open up on their cases.
Earlier, the Senior Legal Advisor of Lawyers Alert, Victor Eboh, and other stakeholders, identified stigmatization, victims blaming, lack of awareness and education, legal loopholes, geographical barriers, under reporting and fear of victimization or retaliation, religion among others as local impediments to access to justice for SGBV.
The clusters, therefore, called on stakeholders and relevant government authorities to do their bits in the fight against SGBV to ensure that victims and survivors, especially People with Disabilities, (PWDs) get the justice they deserve.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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