By Lukman Olabiyi and Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, has successfully conducted a two-day intensive training for law enforcement officers in Lagos State.
The workshop, which drew participants from three Area Police Commands, aimed to equip officers with vital knowledge and skills to better protect the rights of women and girls. It also sought to improve access to justice-related services, aligning with Nigeria’s national efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthen the rule of law.
“This training is not just about developing skills, it’s about shifting mind-sets and building a culture of accountability, and law enforcement officers play a pivotal role in creating safe spaces for women and girls,” said Dr Bose Ironsi, convener of WRAHP.
Ironsi also advocated a streamlined reporting system to ease the trauma survivors face when recounting their experiences multiple times to different agencies.
She called for a centralised and confidential system that allows secure access to survivor information with consent while minimising emotional distress.
Echoing her sentiments, the Director of the Survivor Support Alliance, Jane Doe, noted: “Requiring survivors to repeatedly share their story can be re-traumatising. A coordinated and compassionate approach is critical to support healing and ensure justice.”
Ajibola Makinwa, RoLAC project coordinator, emphasised the importance of on-going training for officers, highlighting the need for regular updates and collaborative problem solving.