VAPP Act, Eko Women 100… appraising Lagos’ policies on gender equity

Across the country, Lagos appears to be among the states leading the cause of women’s inclusion, gender equity and setting enabling policies and laws to guarantee actions against gender-based violence. But despite these legislations, gender-based violence continues to increase, and prosecuting perpetrators becomes a difficult task. According to the 2018 report of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), more than half of Nigerian women, about 55 per cent, who have experienced physical or sexual violence have never sought help to stop the violence.

For instance, the state is among few that have signed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act into law and also adopted it. The VAPP Act made provision for life imprisonment for rape offenders. It also provided 14 years imprisonment for offenders aged 14 and below. The law safeguards the rights of victims of violence in addition to the basic fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

Here’s a look at policies put in place by the Lagos state government on gender inclusion and women empowerment. 

POLICIES ON WOMEN’S INCLUSION

Lagos state has enacted several laws and policies committed to gender equality, equity and social inclusion. These include the child’s rights law of 2007, law against domestic violence (2007), and the law on the rights of persons living with disabilities (2010).

Some of these provisions also have immediate budget implications.

It was also a signatory to the National Gender Policy (2006), a policy that seeks to combat all forms of violence against women and girls, among other things. The policy aims to enable women to take advantage of economic and political opportunities for gender equality and empowerment.

The gender policy adopted special measures, quotas and mechanisms for achieving a minimum critical threshold of women in political offices, party organisations and public life by pursuing 35 per cent affirmative action to bridge gender gaps in political representation in elective and appointive posts. 

DEDICATED WOMEN’S AFFAIRS MINISTRY

By virtue of Lagos State Official Gazette No 7, Vol. 34, dated March 22nd, 2001, the department of women’s affairs became a full-fledged ministry.

The Lagos state ministry of women affairs and poverty alleviation is the state government ministry charged with the responsibility to plan, devise and implement the state policies on women’s affairs and poverty alleviation. Since then, the ministry has organised several events and empowerment programmes to improve the living conditions of women.  

EKO WOMEN 100 INITIATIVE

The annual celebration of Eko Women recognises the invaluable sacrifice and contributions of the women to the development and dream of Lagos as the centre of excellence. 

From art, culture, entertainment, sport and media to politics, the initiative of the current state governor penned down the impact of women every day in the state. It also serves as a pointer where all women and girls can achieve their true potential, devoid of glass ceilings or limitations.

This year, the initiative recognised elegant women in the society such as Mo Abudu, media mogul; Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, elder stateswoman; Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Fidelity Bank managing director; Miriam Olusanya, GTBank managing director, Winifred Akpani, MD, CEO of North-West Petroleum, Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder, Terra-Kulture, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, chief commercial officer, Mixta Africa, amongst others.

DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM (DSVRT)

DSVRT is a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond as a group to the various needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors by providing legal, medical, emergency assistance, counselling and psychological and psychosocial support.

The organisation is part of Lagos’ efforts at ending sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). It has a 24/7 helpline to respond to survivors of sexual abuse and engages in advocacy and sensitisation programmes about SGBV across local councils.

In March 2022, the state government started publishing details of sex offenders.

WAY FORWARD

Despite these legislations and numerous programmes aimed at empowering women in Lagos, the state still needs to go a long way in putting words into action. Further improvements in laws and policies are crucial in transforming gender and power relations, including norms and values that underpin them.

For instance, like every other state, the 2015 target for national gender policy was missed as the political space is yet to fulfil the minimum threshold of 35 per cent affirmative action on the slot for women’s participation and all-encompassing inclusion in governance.

Available statistics also pointed to the vulnerable and fragile conditions for women in Nigeria, including Lagos. This is due to the persistent sexual violation, and abuse of economic and maternal health rights, among others. Although these rights are violated due to cultural norms and negligence, governments need to encourage and ensure access to social and economic resources, enabling laws and policies that would allow women to attain their full potential and capabilities.