Lagos unveils operating procedure for Integrated Violence against Women

Lagos unveils operating procedure for Integrated Violence against Women

The Lagos State Government on Friday inaugurated the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Integrated Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG).

It also inaugurated at the occasion, the Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Service Provision for Persons with Disabilities in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Olugbemiga Aina, said that Lagos had zero tolerance for violence against Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs).

Aina, represented by Oluwatoyin Jaiyeola, Director, Social Welfare, said that the inauguration of the SOP was a very important and appropriate mechanism put in place by government.

He said that the SOP was a document that provided clear cut information in line with international best practices.

In her remarks, Mrs Christiana Adeshina of the Lagos State Office For Disability Affairs (LASODA), said that LASODA was established by the Special People’s Laws in 2011.

Adeshina said that LASODA’s mandate was to ensure that it implemented special people’s laws for the welfare of PWDs in the state.

According to her, the PLWDs have rights and LASODA needs to defend their rights and be their voice in the face of violence.

She said that LASODA also created awareness and helped in dealing with abusers of PWDS.

Also, Mrs Sumbo Oladipo, an Associate, Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), said that the SOP was a spotlight initiative that aimed to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Oladipo said that the goals of the SOP included the provision of a guideline to improve the capacity of staff of organisations to identify and deal with cases of SGBV.

She said the SOP also promoted and fostered collaborations, solidarity and understanding between organisations and actors within the sector.

“It ensures that the PWDs victims or survivours of SGBV receives inclusive response that is prompt, efficient and comprehensive.

“The SOP also develops processes and procedures that allow for monitoring and evaluation and ensure a certain level of uniformity in dealing with PWDs survivors or victims of SGBV,” Oladipo said.

Also, Mr Rotimi Adeniyi, Chairman, Persons with Physical Disability, Lagos State, said that “the launch goes beyond the book” and “gets better with engagement and implementation of the book”.

He said that the occasion was a good step in the right direction and should be sustained.

The National Daily reports that the inauguration is a Spotlight Initiative implemented by CEWHIN in collaboration with LASODA and Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).