As parts of efforts towards ensuring a just society devoid of Sexual-Gender Based Violence and other social vices, the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has sought the support of the Judiciary to ensure improved access to justice and provisions of legal aids in issues related to child welfare, child adoption and rape amongst others.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta.
Adeleye who decried the rising case of social vices with the female gender mostly victims, said it was high time that improved legal measures were being put in place in the dispensation of justice to culprit found culpable in any social vices, especially SGBV.
She further advocated for the establishment of a special court to hasten up the judicial process and procedures of getting justice for survivors as well as a documentation of sexual assault offenders to serve as deterrent to others, with a view to ensuring societal sanity.
The commissioner while recounting instances of sharp practices in Child adoption, sought the support of the Chief Judge to strengthen the administrative process towards bringing all perpetrators to book. She further commended the strides recorded by the Chief Judge since her assumption of office, acknowledging the various reforms being put in place.
In her responses, the Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment at ensuring that necessary legal advice and support were provided through legal aids, to ensure the rights of individuals, while setting standard for equitable enforcement of the law, to reduce societal vices.
Explaining the delay of some cases on SGBV and family matters, Justice Dipeolu urged Social Welfare Officers to brace up to their duties and endeavour to enlighten parents, relatives and witnesses on the need to stand by the survivors during court proceedings, as it is the only way a victim could get justice.
On child adoption cases, the Chief Judge pointed out that lose ends should be tightened and due diligence carried out at both the judicial and Ministry for safety and welfare of the children.
