FIGHT AGAINST SGBV: LASG WOOS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

… Collaborates with UN WOMEN  on 16 days of Activism in LASU

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada has charged Tertiary School   Students and Civil Society  Organisations to take a keen interest in the emancipation and empowerment of women and girls, using accessible resources, support services and safe spaces for survivors of Gender-Based Violence across Lagos State.

Dada made the call at the  Gender and Safe Spaces Summit held recently at the  Buba Marwa Auditorium, Lagos State University (LASU) as part of activities commemorating 16 Days of Activism, themed: ‘Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”, organised by the Ministry in partnership with the UN Women. 

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Finance and Account, Mrs. Kuburat Olanrewaju Lawal, averred that the 16 Days of Activism is an annual celebration instituted by the United Nations which commenced on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, the Human Rights Day.
 
She implored Civil Societies to invest in increased awareness and galvanise advocacy efforts to share knowledge on possible ways of curbing all types of violence against women and girls. 

While emphasising that the issue of curbing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a priority for the Lagos State Government, she stated that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has made Gender Equality a cornerstone of his Administration, with a first-ever National Strategy to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls. 

Dada said, “We have established free toll line 767 centres for victims of SGBV to call during emergencies and we have domestic desks located in the 57 Local Government/Local Council Development Areas to enhance the reporting system of SGBV cases”.

She averred that the Lagos State Government-built homes for the rehabilitation of survivors will soon be completed, adding that they are geared towards providing survivors with opportunities to acquire skills for financial sustainability.  

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry has embarked on continuous sensitisation programmes to educate women and girls on their rights as well as stakeholders on various ways of curbing social vices in society.

She revealed that the State Government through the Ministry has promoted an integrated, comprehensive package of community interventions, including health and counselling services, to prevent and respond to SGBV and has invested so much in the campaigns against SGBV in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Women, United States for International Development and other women-focused NGOs across the State.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello stated that reports have shown that there is a high level of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence among women and girls. She therefore advocated a conducive learning environment for students in tertiary institutions to enable them to occupy their spaces and perform optimally.

Olatunji-Bello commended the UN Women and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for their continuous efforts through sensitisation programmes to end SGBV in the State, adding that there must be accelerated efforts by Civil Society organisations to invest in the fight against SGBV across Communities of Lagos State

The high point of the event was the Honorary Award given to the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello MIN, NPOM, as the ‘ICON of Gender Safety for Nigeria and West Africa’. While the UN Women Deputy Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Lansana Wonnen was honoured with the Credence in Leadership Award.

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