Eradicating SGBV in Lagos State, WRAHP Start Campaign in Alimosho – www.cliptvonline.com ~

In order to tackle the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) scourge and increase reporting in Alimosho, the largest LGA in Lagos state, Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) with support from the EU funded Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) programme managed by the British Council in Nigeria, is facilitating Town Hall meetings across the 6 LCDAs in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State which runs from Monday 29th March- Thursday 1st April 2021.

This is part of her project titled ‘Increasing Access to Justice Related Services’ to mobilize communities for the uptake of justice related services for survivors of SGBV.

The project among other things, has established a Resource Center called the IRETI RESOURCE CENTER located at No 1, Idowu Anisere bus stop, Governor’s Road, Ikotun, Lagos. The aim is to support vulnerable people and SGBV survivors by providing them with free services. The services include Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Response and Referrals, Counseling and therapy, psycho social support services, community legal clinic.

This project is currently training secondary school students on improving reporting of SGBV incidents. In 2020, the project among other things, trained 100 police officers,300 community mandated SGBV reporters from 30 social structures.

In an interview with Elizabeth Charles the communications Officer for women’s rights and health project, WRAHP, the level of patriarchy practiced in Nigeria has made women and girls quite vulnerable Which has led to the alarming rate of sexual and Gender based violence against women and girls, last year, IRETI Resource Centre was established by WRAHP through her EU funded RoLAC project managed by British council due to the high number of SGBV reporting during the covid 19 lockdown.

“Some women do not have the opportunity to make decisions in their homes, like decisions to attend Town hall meetings, that is why WRAHP is strategic about her town hall meetings as we have invited both the men and women to sensitize them on domestic violence and their rights as women and we are also informing them of the channels open to them for reporting SGBV cases” said Elizabeth.

She also reiterated that WRAHP is visiting the 6 LCDAs that make up Alimosho LGA, the largest LGA in Lagos State to help ensure the awareness of SGBV available resources.

Lagos, Nigeria and the world at large will be a more conducive community if the grassroot government will support this initiative.