LAGOS FIRST LADY SEEKS SPEEDY INVESTIGATION OF RAPE CASES
… Visits DNA, Forensic Centre, Rape Referral Organisations in Lagos
In a demonstration of a strong stance against sexual and gender-based violence and with a robust commitment to advocacy towards eliminating all forms of violence against both genders, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has engaged students, government agencies, and Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARC), that support victims of rape cases to drive meaningful change and bring the incidents to the lowest minimum.
The three-day intensive engagement sessions were held separately on Monday, 4th December, Thursday, 7th December, and Friday, 8th December 2023 respectively as part of activities put together by the First Lady to commemorate this year’s ongoing 16 days of activism, against Gender-based violence, scheduled to end on Sunday 10th December 2023 with the theme: “Invest to prevent violence against Women and Girls.”
During these visits and engagements, Dr. Sanwo-Olu listened to the challenges of the stakeholders, identified solutions, and sought more synergy among all concerned parties in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, just as she also raised awareness about the importance of swift investigations of rape cases to bring justice to survivors and create a safer environment for all.
The wife of the Governor, who organised an interactive School Advocacy Seminar for selected students from six Lagos State Secondary Schools at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka earlier in the week, encouraged the students to join the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign by participating actively in discussions on issues around Gender Based Violence and proferring possible solutions.
She seized the opportunity of the advocacy event to enlighten the students on how to seek assistance when needed, stressing that no child or woman should be subjected to the harrowing experience of defilement, rape and sexual violence crimes.
In the same vein, the First Lady visited 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 Center, to learn more about their efforts in handling rape cases.
According to her, the visit demonstrates her commitment towards a society free from sexual violence, adding that through the efforts of the relevant government agencies, the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and her office, an environment where positive change is inspired and a culture of responsibility fostered is assured.
She said that the visit to the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre, which plays a vital role in providing scientific evidence for investigations shows that the Centre still offers skeletal services.
Sanwo-Olu identified the need to re-equip the Centre for maximal operations such that the various evidence and samples collected from relevant Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), for forensic investigations, can be quickly and speedily attended to.
The wife of the Governor, who observed the process of the care available for victims of rape cases at Lagos Island Maternity and Primary Health Centre at Simpson in Ebute Metta, acknowledged the importance of the essential medical support services offered to survivors by the medical facilities.
While underscoring her unwavering support for survivors of rape cases and her commitment to ending sexual and gender-based violence during her visit to the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) and Mirabel Centre, the First Lady promised to continue to work together with the NGOs to provide comprehensive support and counselling for victims.
The latest in the series of engagements held by the First Lady was an Inter-ministerial stakeholders’ meeting with relevant agencies of government in charge of handling sexual and gender-based violence cases which was initiated by the Governor’s wife.
Some of these agencies include the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), the Nigerian Police Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Lagos State Judiciary, the Ministry of Information and Strategy, amongst others.
More photos below.
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