Market leaders to serve as anti-rape ambassadors

 

The Lagos state government has recruited over 400 market leader to serve as ambassadors against rape and other gender based domestic violence.

The coordinator of Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVR, Mrs Vivour Adeniyi while speaking to market leaders said explained that the move was aimed at reducing rape and other gender based sexual violence in the state.

According to her, “you are mandated to report if you see  or hear anything especially as incidents of gender-based violence have occurred  in recent times at the market place.” she said the market leaders are capable of assisting the Lagos government in its fight against rape domestic issues.

She also urged every one to report any case of rape and not bow to any form of pressure from family members, opinion leaders or even some certain law enforcement officers to settle the matter out of court.

Vivour Adeniyi listed the Child’s Rights Law, 2007, Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, as some of the extant legislations that deal with gender-based violence.
She assured that her organization in collaboration with some other groups would provide free legal representation to handle reported cases of gender-based violence.

This is a very bold step in eradicating rape and other domestic violence in Nigeria. Hope other state governments join in on this.