The Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) has urged residents of Alimosho, Lagos State, to report sexual and gender-based violence promptly, assuring community members that it can provide pro bono lawyers to help them seek redress for violations of their rights.
The organisation made the appeal during a one-day community legal clinic held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Oba Erelu Oforan Abisogun Palace in Amikanle, Alimosho.
Bose Ironsi, WRAHP’s Executive Director, said the initiative sought to bridge the gap between existing legal protections and community members’ access to justice.
“Sustainable protection against violence and injustice begins when community members understand their legal rights and have direct access to remedies,” Ironsi said.
“By bringing legal practitioners, traditional institutions, and community stakeholders under one roof, we are breaking down barriers to justice, tackling emerging threats like technology-facilitated abuse, and empowering communities to protect vulnerable women and children,” she added.
WRAHP officials, Precious Eberechukwu, Segun Babalola and Oladayo Davis, took turns to explain legal protections, reporting procedures and ways to recognise abuse. They discussed harmful cultural beliefs and myths that can encourage violence, urging residents to report suspected offences to the appropriate authorities.
The facilitators also addressed technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online harassment, exploitation and grooming. They advised participants to exercise caution when sharing personal information and material online and to report abuse as soon as possible.
On child protection, they explained that the best interests of the child should guide decisions concerning children. Participants were taught about children’s rights to life, survival and development, a name and registration, parental care, dignity, freedom from discrimination, free basic education and protection from sexual abuse.
The legal literacy sessions covered laws on domestic violence, the Criminal Law of Lagos State, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, and national and state child rights legislation.
Other themes listed for the clinic included electoral participation and integrity, as well as awareness of sickle cell disorder and health-related social stigma.
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In its statement on the programme, WRAHP said the clinic was designed to offer individual pro bono legal consultations. It also outlined plans to select a 10-member community committee to sustain local advocacy, protection and referral efforts.
Ironsi said WRAHP remained committed to partnering with traditional authorities, civil society organisations and grassroots structures to uphold the dignity, rights and well-being of women, children and families across Lagos.
Oluwatade Titus, representing ESTABOL Initiative for Social Value, Health and Environmental Watch, which partnered with WRAHP for the training, described WRAHP as a mentor to his organisation. He said their partnership rested on shared interests and had helped strengthen ESTABOL’s community work.
Titus said his organisation would discuss the lessons with its staff and community members, involving religious leaders, traditional rulers and young people in efforts to educate others.
Emerald Chioma, representing Havilah Empowerment and Impact Foundation, who also worked in partnership with WRAHP for the programme, said many people endure abuse in silence because they lack information about their rights. The human rights activist said the clinic could encourage residents to speak out and seek help.
Chioma cited a discussion about whether a 16-year-old girl should be allowed to marry as an example of gaps in understanding child protection and consent. Chioma expressed hope that participants would use the knowledge gained to protect vulnerable people.
Aderonke Cyrus, a women’s leader in the community, said the session challenged the tendency to dismiss abuse as a private family matter. Cyrus said the discussions also showed that men and children could experience abuse alongside women, adding that notes taken during the clinic would be shared with other residents.
Muslin Mafimiwola, an imam in the community, welcomed the initiative, saying it had provided useful information about the rights of residents and their children.
Mafimiwola said he would share the lessons with his congregation at the mosque and with children and other residents during community gatherings, extending the clinic’s message beyond those who attended.