By Olusegun Samuel
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated the state Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) as part of efforts to curb cases of domestic violence in the state. The committee is headed by gender advocate and legal practitioner, Dise Ogbise.
While inaugurating the 18-member committee at the Government House, Yenagoa, last Tuesday, Diri said with the signing of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) earlier this year, Bayelsa had become one of the few states that has domesticated the federal law.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as having charged them to work as a team as well as collaborate with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, particularly the Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice, to ensure the implementation of the law to the letter.
Diri, who noted that the task ahead of the committee is enormous, urged the members to tackle the menace holistically as there are cases of men being victims of domestic abuse.
According to him, “Domestic violence is on the increase regardless of tribe, religion and social status. Earlier this year, we domesticated the VAPP law in the state.
“We expect this committee to work with MDAs, especially the Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice, to ensure that the law is implemented to the letter.”
The governor expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to nip in the bud issues of violence against persons, as its membership includes medical personnel, lawyers, law enforcement agents among other professions.
“I charge you to work as a team and bring your experience to bear on your mandate in the interest of the state. The chairman of this committee has a lot of experience because of what she has been doing in FIDA as well as advocating on gender-based issues in the state,” Diri said.
In her response, the Chairman, of the committee, Dise Ogbise, expressed the commitment to discharge their mandate in line with the provisions of the Bayelsa State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2021.
Ogbise, who thanked the governor, his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, and members of the state Assembly for the confidence reposed in them, assured them that with their support, they would take the campaign to every nook and cranny of the state.
