Thread by @bisiafayemi

The Ekiti State Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law was passed on 25th November, 2011 consequent upon the need to make a law to deal with domestic and sexual violence cases in the State.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The public hearing for the Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law (Amendment) Bill holds today, Wednesday, 9th October, 2019 at the Ekiti State House of Assembly Complex by 3pm.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Passage of the law has increased citizen’s awareness on the need to shun all acts categorized as domestic and Sexual Violence and the consequences of perpetrating such acts.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Amendment Bill takes cognizance of the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibited) Act, 2015 which has a more comprehensive provision of what constitutes violence against a person, whether male/female, hence its harmonization with the law.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill includes new forms of violence while the definition of rape is more exhaustive to include penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with any other part of the perpetrator’s body or anything else.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

Punishments are provided for different forms of violence depending on the gravity of the offence.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Amendment Bill also seeks to establish a Gender Court in at least three Senatorial Districts of the State to make justice more accessible to the people.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill also seeks to establish a Sexual Assault Referral Centre comprising the Law Enforcement, Medical, Legal and Psychological Units to be located in EKSUTH, thus providing a one-stop complaint lodgment and intervention Centre for victims of Gender Based Violence.

The Bill retains (with little adjustment) the process for applying for the various court orders, specifically as regards occupation and protective orders.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill makes provisions for the prohibition of harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and widowhood’s rites , thereby harmonizing the laws of Female Genital Mutilation and widowhood rites.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill also legalizes the Sexual Offenders’ Register which is currently stationed at the Ministry of Justice to record names and details of Gender Based Violence offenders with a view to name and shame sexual offenders.’
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill includes the vital MDAs like the Ministry of Information to sensitize on the workings of the law, while adjusting the status and designation of representatives of various MDA.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill also provides for the appointment of Protection Officer at the various Local Government Areas Levels.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

There are however suggestions that the minimum qualification for such officers be stated to avoid appointment of officers having little or no knowledge on Gender Based Violence issues and how to respond to same.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill also provides for the award of Survivals' Fund, the first of its kind in the country, to victims of Gender Based Violence to be paid to Respondent, while providing support for victims through the fund.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The begging syndrome is criminalized, while sexual offenders convicts will not enjoy the Governor’s prerogative of mercy.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill is well-arranged and presented in an easy-to-understand manner divided into 5 parts and 63 sections.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing

The Bill is a comprehensive one and it is hoped that our deliberations will be fruitful in contributing positively to a better composition of the Bill.
#EkitiGBVAmendmentHearing