The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), has officially presented the approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) booklet to operators of Safe Women Shelters across the State.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the standard of care, protection and overall support provided to women and girls seeking refuge from vulnerability and abuse.

Speaking at the Periodic Review and Policy Update for Safe Women Shelters held in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia Dada‌, highlighted that the presentation marks a pivotal step in translating the Ministry’s policy commitments into concrete action.

Dada recalled that on March 10, 2026, the Ministry held an initial engagement with Chief Executive Officers of organizations managing Safe Women Shelters to build a common framework for effective shelter management. The newly approved SOP provides comprehensive guidelines covering critical operational areas, including shelter management, safeguarding protocols, confidentiality, referral pathways, case management, accountability, monitoring, and general welfare support for women and girls.

To ensure the framework remains practical and responsive to evolving challenges, the Commissioner noted that the SOP will undergo periodic reviews in close consultation with key stakeholders. Furthermore, MWAPA will conduct regular visits to shelters across Lagos State to evaluate compliance, identify operational challenges, and extend necessary administrative guidance.

“These visits will serve not only as a compliance exercise, but also as an essential opportunity to collaborate and continually strengthen our shelter system,” Dada noted.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rianat Ajibike Onigbanjo, commended the Commissioner for her leadership and unwavering dedication to vulnerable women and girls.

She also recognized the contributions of Ministry Directors, specifically Mrs. Itunu Babarinde, Director of Non-Governmental Organisations, alongside the shelter operators and technical stakeholders who contributed to drafting and finalizing the guidelines.

Mrs. Onigbanjo urged shelter operators to thoroughly study the document and integrate its protocols into their daily operations.

Responding on behalf of shelter operators, Mrs. Olayemi O. Akinyele of Grace Springs Shelter expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for prioritizing shelter management standards and including private operators throughout the consultative process.

The event concluded with the formal presentation of the SOP booklets by Bolaji Cecilia Dada to representatives of various shelters, reinforcing a shared commitment among stakeholders to offer dignity, protection and structured support to women and girls across Lagos State.