Edo State To Establish Special Courts To Address Gender Based Violence

The Edo State Government has vowed to establish special courts for the trial of sexual offences and gender-based violence in the state.

This was revealed by the First Lady of Edo State who is also the Chairperson of Gender-Based Violence Management Committee in the state, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, while speaking with journalists in Benin City.

She reiterated the commitment of the state governmen to eliminate all forms of abuse and violence against women, girls, children and persons with disabilities.

Mrs. Obaseki said the special courts would give speedy justice to victims of gender based violence. She also noted that special Judges will be assigned to the special courts.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, added that the state signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill into law to show its commitment towards the fight against gender-based violence.

His words: “We also launched a sexual offenders’ register, which serves as a tool to shame all persons who have been convicted in gender-based violence. We have linked our register with the national register. We are driven by the need to ensure that those who perpetrate gender-based violence are apprehended and made to face justice strictly”, he said.