LASG ADVANCES LEGAL REVIEW TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV, AIDS
The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step towards reinforcing the rights and welfare of people living with HIV & AIDS as key stakeholders convened for a high-level engagement at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The strategic session, spearheaded by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), focused on the review of the Lagos State Law for the Protection of People Living with HIV & AIDS with a particular aim to update the existing 2007 law to reflect emerging realities and societal changes.
The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, stated that the engagement marks a crucial moment in the State’s ongoing commitment to upholding human dignity, eliminating stigma and discrimination, and strengthening legal protections for people living with HIV.
She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his steadfast dedication to inclusive governance and human-centred development. She noted that Lagos State has continued to lead nationally with innovative programmes, community collaboration, and evidence-based strategies to curb HIV spread and support affected individuals.
“Lagos has remained a beacon of innovation and compassion in Nigeria’s HIV response,” she stated. “We set a national precedent in 2007 by passing a law to protect the rights of people living with HIV. But almost two decades later, the world has changed from the rise of social media to persistent societal stigma and our laws must evolve to reflect these shifts.”
Highlighting the growing intersection between HIV, gender-based violence (GBV), and human rights, the Chief Executive Officer explained that although the State has introduced guidelines addressing this convergence, they have yet to be incorporated into law. Rising cases of domestic, sexual, and workplace violence against people living with HIV, she noted, further underscore the urgent need for legal reinforcement
Barr Josephine Ijekhwene, who was the Legal Consultant of the process, commended the diverse representation in attendance, including government agencies, civil society, PLHIV networks, development partners, and legal experts, all working together to reinforce legal equity for people living with HIV.
She, however, urged participants to approach the review process with courage, empathy, and evidence-driven insights, calling on them to “think boldly and compassionately” as Lagos continues to model progressive and inclusive leadership.
Relevant Stakeholders present at the strategic meeting include representatives from the NACA Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Basic Education, APYIN, ASHWAN, UNIDS, ACSM, CHIP, Champagne Foundation, Yedi Youth Foundation, FIDA and TIERS, amongst others.
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