LAGOS FIRST LADY SEEKS SPEEDY INVESTIGATION OF RAPE CASES
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…… Visits, DNA & Forensic Centre, Rape referral organisations in Lagos
…… Deepens advocacy with students, engages govt MDAs
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has demonstrated her strong opposition to sexual and gender-based violence and her deepening commitment to advocating for the elimination of all forms of violence against both genders. She has involved government agencies, students, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), which assist victims of rape cases, in her efforts to effect meaningful change and reduce the number of occurrences.
Three days of intense engagement sessions were organised by the First Lady to commemorate the ongoing 16 days of activism against gender-based violence this year. The sessions were scheduled to conclude on Sunday, December 10, 2023, with the theme “Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.” They were held separately on Monday, December 4, Thursday, December 7, and Friday, December 8, 2023, respectively.
In addition to raising awareness of the significance of prompt investigations of rape cases to bring justice to survivors and create a safer environment for all, Dr. Sanwo-Olu also listened to the challenges faced by the stakeholders, identified solutions, and sought greater cooperation among all parties involved in cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
Earlier this week, on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, the governor’s wife organised an interactive school advocacy seminar for a select group of students from six Lagos State Secondary Schools. She encouraged the students to get involved in the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign by actively participating in discussions on the issues surrounding GBV and offering potential solutions.
She made use of the advocacy event to teach the students how to get help when they needed it, emphasising that no woman or child should have to go through the horrific ordeal of being raped or subjected to other sexual violence crimes.
In her words: “This is my way of investing in our students by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and platforms to speak up against this menace. This is our stand and we must also not encourage a culture of silence. Instead of thinking about the implication of pursuing the case of defilement or rape to a logical conclusion, the interest of the individual that has been abused should come first over and above any other consideration.”
“ The whole intention of exposing these students to this campaign is to elevate the voices of our young persons to join in shaping the future. This event also ensures that no one is left behind as it puts the students at the forefront of the advocacy,” Sanwo-Olu explained.
Similarly, to find out more about the organisations’ efforts to address rape cases, the First Lady paid visits to the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre, Lagos Island Maternity, Primary Health Centre at Simpson in Ebute Metta, and two NGOs, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) and Mirabel Centre.
She claims that the visit reflects her commitment to a society free from sexual violence. She goes on to say that an atmosphere where positive change is inspired and a culture of responsibility is fostered is guaranteed through the efforts of her office, the relevant government agencies, and non-governmental organisations.
She claimed that the visit to the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre demonstrated that the facility still provides basic services. The centre is essential in supplying scientific evidence for investigations.
Sanwo-Olu determined that the centre needed to be fully reequipped to ensure that the numerous pieces of evidence and samples that were gathered from pertinent Sexual Assault Referral Centres, or SARCs, for forensic investigations could be handled promptly.
The governor’s wife recognised the value of the vital medical support services provided to survivors from the medical facilities after she watched the care provided for rape victims at Lagos Island Maternity and Primary Health Centre at Simpson in Ebute Metta.
During her visit to the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) and Mirabel Centre, the First Lady emphasised her steadfast support for survivors of rape cases and her dedication to ending sexual and gender-based violence. She also pledged to keep collaborating with the NGOs to offer victims comprehensive support and counselling.
The Governor’s wife organised an interministerial stakeholders meeting with relevant government agencies responsible for resolving cases of sexual and gender-based violence, which was the most recent in the First Lady’s series of engagements.
The Nigerian Police Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Lagos State Judiciary, the Ministry of Information and Strategy, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and the DSVA are a few of these agencies.
Addressing the concerned MDAs on Friday in her Office at Lagos House Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu explained that the meeting which is held periodically as a form of feedback mechanism, was aimed at improving the handling of sensitive cases like rape and ensuring justice for survivors.
She said: “This Stakeholders Meeting emphasizes the principle that we cannot work in asylum in our fight against SGBV. As government MDAs, we must all “Unite to invest” in the prevention of SGBV in our society.”
The Governor’s wife noted that the past editions of the Stakeholders meeting with the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government have assisted in harmonizing the efforts of the responders in identifying challenges, proferring solutions, and collaborating for more efficiency and improved service delivery.
She explained that the recent inter-ministerial stakeholders’ meeting, with key agencies responsible for handling sexual and gender-based violence cases, was aimed at improving the handling of these sensitive cases and ensuring justice for survivors.
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