Lawyers have emphasised the need for citizens to be informed of the provisions of the law with regards to domestic violence and sexual abuse, landlord-tenant law, child and disability law, to curb its violations.
This was at the Community Legal Clinic and Free Legal Aid services in Ayobo LCDA, organised by Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) in partnership with Canada Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and Ireti Resource Centre.
Lawyer and Human Right Advocate, Tunrayo Falade, taught the participants on legal implications of domestic violence and tenancy law of Lagos.
They were taught the different forms of domestic violence and how to make a line of reporting whenever there is an existing case and punishments for such crimes.
Tenancy law was also explained, equipping landlords with information on how to lawfully evict a tenant and rights available to tenants.
They were also taught how to resolve issues and their obligations.
“Domestic violence is physical abuse, intimidation, starvation, sexual exploitation or abuse,” she explained.
Executive Director, WRAHP, Bose Ironsi, said that community legal clinics are the backbone of legal aid services providing aid to underprivileged and marginalised communities that play a crucial role in ensuring access to justice for all especially girls and women who are survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
“This training funded by the Canada Fund For Local Initiative is part of our efforts to ensure that survivors are well informed on their rights on legal issues.
“We will work with community structures that include Artisans, Market women and men, Christian and Muslim Clergy and other community members,” she said.
Assistant Secretary, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Badagry, Cynthia Ibe, speaking on child rights, explained the rights children are obligated to enjoy such as; right to life, education, good health, freedom from slavery, torture, sexual abuse and child labour.
She explained that Lagos state is committed to punishing child right violators through the various courts.
She educated participants on the various abuses obtainable in the society, while stressing the need to speak up and take immediate action.
“These things are happening everyday. Girls and boys are sexually abused on a daily basis and they are groomed into sexual activities and being blackmailed to remain in secrecy.
“So, we need to ‘see something, say something and do something immediately’ and report to the appropriate centres,” she said.
On penalties, she stated that sexual abuse, especially case of defilement whether digital or actual penetrative, is life imprisonment.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, WRAHP, Omotayo Lawal, said the goal of the project was to address issues of SGBV and provide psychosocial support services to people who have been abused within the community.
The participants were educated to identify their rights, the available frameworks and how to exercise them.
She noted that SGBV is still prevalent in Nigeria due to patriarchal beliefs, lack of awareness and culture of silence.
A lawyer, Abdulwahab Bakare, said the special people’s act ensures people with disabilities can enjoy every human right.
“We try to achieve three things, sensitisation about the existence of these laws that protect these citizens, the enforceability of the law and lastly the places to go to seek redress if rights have been infringed upon,” he declared.
