Sexual and Gender Based Violence Network advocates for Osun SARC functionality

The SGBV Justice Network (SJN) Cluster is implementing a project with the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE), a USAID/Palladium supported project that seeks to consolidate the activation/implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Kaduna, and Osun States. 

The project advocates for speedy justice service delivery and resolution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases. Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance, a member of the network is the implementing partner in Osun State. 

The "Consolidating Advocacy for Effective Justice Delivery for Survivors of SGBV in Nigeria" project is a follow-on of the "Advocacy Towards Effective Justice Delivery for Survivors of SGBV in Nigeria." 

The project  aims to build on the significant achievements and successes of the first phase. For the SJN Cluster to attain its key policy objectives in target project locations, it is important to strengthen relationship with key government ministries that are directly involved in the issues being addressed in the project implementation. 

Pursuant to the above, the SJN Cluster paid an advocacy visit to the Osun state Ministry of Health to see to the functionality of the  Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).  

Deployment of personnel to the Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) for its effectiveness and  allocation of resources for optimal operation where some of the request made by   the SJN led by Mrs. Eni Ayeni , the Executive Director of Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance. 

In his response, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiak Adekunle applauded the SJN for taking the bold steps in seeing to the functionality of the SARC in Osun state.

He also stated that it was necessary to convene a stakeholders meeting where all  actors working on GBV  can come to together  to discussed the issue of SGBV  for the implementation  of the VAPPL  in Osun state. 

 "Once the stakeholders meeting is convened, a focal person shall be assigned by ministry of Health to the centre", the Permanent Secretary reassured the Network.