The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in collaboration with Ford Foundation, has sensitised women leaders across the Lagos State on eradicating sexual violence in their communities.

The group, a women’s rights organisation in Nigeria, which provides pro bono legal services for women victims of gender-based violence and other women’s rights abuse, said the programme was organised to build community level accountability mechanisms and enhance collaboration between the association and Council of Women Chiefs (Iyalodes) and Market Leaders (Iyalojas) in addressing gender-based violence in the state.

The WARDC Founder and Director, Dr Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, who spoke at the event, said the programme aimed at ensuring all women leaders are involved in fighting and eradicating sexual violence in the community.

Akiode-Afolabi said the programme, centred in South-West, would be held in Ogun State in August, having been held in Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo states.

She said: “We believe that they are strategically placed to be able to respond to sexual orientation and immorality. Creating women traditional leaders, who will help in braking social measures by ensuring that we have zero-tolerance to sexual and gender-based violence in all areas and communities and to make sure that they involve the kings and chiefs to also support them in that regards.

“The meeting is done in local language to give an understanding knowledge to the eradication of sexual immorality among genders. More so, the programme is to bring together all women leaders to educate and bring opinions on ways to eradicate gender inequalities among genders.”

She, therefore, urged them to educate and sensitise people in their communities on the need to report gender-based violence case to the police.

Tinubu-Ojo, who was represented by Iyalode-General of Iganmu Kingdom, Chief (Mrs.) Risikat Ololade, said markets in the state would be guided by security men day and night.

She said they have banners to educate people on gender violence, urging parents/guardians to pay attention to their children/wards, teach them sex education and as well allow them to have free interaction with them.

However, Chief (Mrs.) Olasunbo Akinwale Akinremi from Araromi Ajah Town, Chief (Mrs.) Modina Olabisi and Chief (Mrs.) Folake Adebimpe from Ikorodu urged government to protect reporters of cases of sexual violence from being harassed by street boys or hooligans.

They also admonished others to be more proactive and work with youths, the police, as well as the Community Development Area (CDA) leaders.