By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Good Women Association has organized a two-day training workshop aimed at equipping police officers with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Lagos State.
Mrs. Biola Ibiefo, the Executive Director of the association, announced the successful conclusion of the workshop, emphasizing its importance in enhancing the capacity of the police, particularly the human rights and gender units, in addressing gender-based violence.
Ibiefo highlighted the unique aspect of the training, emphasizing the significance of law enforcement agencies joining the fight against crimes while promoting gender equality and respecting the rights of all individuals, including sex workers and vulnerable women.
“This program is unique because it involves police officers working to ensure gender equality and respect for everyone’s rights, including sex workers and vulnerable women,” Ibiefo stated.
The participants in the training were carefully selected from the Commissioner of Police’s office, the Gender Units, and the command offices. Adefuye explained that this approach ensured that those trained could return to their respective stations and share the knowledge with other police officers in their local governments.
The program’s focus extended beyond law enforcement, as Ibiefo emphasized that gender-based violence is a concern for everyone. The state government is taking a lead role in safeguarding individuals’ rights and ensuring equal treatment. The training also aimed to raise awareness about vulnerable populations and the rights of sex workers, as well as to establish prevention and response mechanisms for cases of sexual and gender-based violence in the state.
Mrs. Ngozi Nwosu Giba, the program’s facilitator, highlighted the importance of training police personnel in responding effectively to sexual and gender-based violence. The two-day training included sessions on understanding sexual-based violence, practical exercises on responding to reported cases, and a commitment from participating officers to share their knowledge with their colleagues.
CSP Grace Agboola, one of the beneficiaries of the training, expressed her appreciation for the insights gained. She stressed the state’s strong stance against gender-based violence and its commitment to enforcing the law, ensuring equal treatment for all individuals, and maintaining gender offices across the state.
Group work: A scenery of police Intervention in regards to a victim of SGBV and GBV during the training organized by Good Women Association on a two-day training workshop between September 13th to 14th, 2023 held In Lagos.