A Group, Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) has urged communities to blow the whistle on gender and sexual-based violations as a step to curb it. It advised the community legal clinic on sexual and gender-based violence held at Ajangbadi in Ojo Local Council, organised by WRAHP, in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II) and International IDEA.

Participants at the event were also educated on what constitutes Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and child abuse, as well as the various punishments associated with them.

They were also enlightened about their legal rights and the resources available to them. Also, Executive Director of WRAHP, Bose Ironsi, explained that the initiative is a critical step in addressing the persistent issues of SGBV within the communities.

She said that with a focus on empowering communities and survivors, the clinic seeks to bridge the gap in legal services, ensuring access to justice for underprivileged and marginalised groups, particularly women and girls.

“SGBV remains a pervasive challenge in Lagos State, leaving survivors struggling to understand and navigate complex legal systems while often facing societal stigma. The community legal clinic in Ojo Local Council offered a platform for participants to access professional, confidential, and compassionate legal advice. Beyond providing legal advice, the clinic served as an educational platform, empowering participants with knowledge about their rights under key legal frameworks, including the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, Criminal Law of Lagos State and The Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law,” she added.

In his own remarks, Chairman, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) in Ajangbadi, Yusuf Bashir, lauded the initiative and urged community members to speak up to curb the vices.