Lagos governor’s wife calls for support for GBV survivors

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called for support for survivors of gender-based violence.

This was as she unveiled a remodelled Police Gender-Based Violence and Family Support Unit at the Lagos State Police Gender Unit, Harold Shodipo Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Mrs Sanwo-Olu stated that the remodelling further affirmed the state’s collective effort to tackle gender-based violence, noting that the facility had been repositioned to give hope, healing, and a timely response to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence across Lagos.

She emphasised that the unveiling coincidentally falls within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The 16 Days of Activism is a global annual campaign to end violence against women and girls, running from November 25 to December 10.

According to the governor’s wife, this year’s annual global campaign highlights the growing threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and calls for action from governments, tech companies, donors, and individuals to combat the menace.

She said, “Gender-based violence is not just a crime; it is a violation of humanity, a breach of dignity, and remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time, affecting nearly one in three women globally.”

While soliciting support from all stakeholders to tackle the menace across the state, she reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to addressing this challenge of GBV, noting that the newly remodelled centre is a testament to the government’s intervention.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, applauded Mrs Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to advocating against gender-based violence and safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls.

 Jimoh described the remodelled facility as a milestone achievement aimed at strengthening justice and protecting vulnerable persons, adding that the rising reports of GBV cases spurred the urgent need to revamp the facility for the benefit of the state.

The unveiling was attended by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN); and the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Bolaji Ogunlende, among others.