Oyo unveils guidelines for treatment of gender-based violence survivors

Oyo State Government and relevant stakeholders, on Sunday, reiterated their commitments to rejig the fight against Gender-Based Violence in their respective areas of intervention.

They pledged at the unveiling of the Standard and Guidelines for Medical Management of Gender Based Violence, Survivors, organised by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with an International NGO, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, the document will ensure adequate justice for victims of gender-based violence in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the document contained the legal procedure to cater to the healthcare service of GBV survivors.

Ajetunmobi said the document would help address the problems being encountered in the health facilities when treating survivors of GBV.

She described the critical initiative as a pivotal step towards enhancing the care and support for victims of violence within the state.

The commissioner said, “The healthcare system, which serves as the first point of call for victims, must have the right skills and guidelines for the best care possible.

“The guidelines promote a holistic approach to the medical management of victims of violence, addressing not only their physical injuries but also their psychological, social, and legal needs.”

Earlier, the state Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Akintunde Ayinde, said the document served as a landmark in the history of violence against persons.

The Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, Lucky Palmer, said the acts of violence against persons in Nigeria were multifaceted and affect both genders, cutting across all cultures, socio-economic, religious, and age groups.

Palmer added that despite the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Law) in the state, access to justice for victims and management of survivors remains a bottleneck.