Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday reiterated the commitment of his administration to minimise rape and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

He said that various initiatives had been put in place, including strengthening of institutions to end the menace in the state. Sanwo-Olu spoke at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, during the second community sensitisation programme for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political groups organised by the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said in the last two years, significant gains had been recorded in the war against domestic and sexual violence.

He said: “In view of the public health implications as a result of the aftermath of sexual violence, the state government, under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, has recently launched an intervention fund, which now ensures survivors of sexual violence are able to access immediate medical attention at all primary health centres, general hospitals and designated private hospitals at no cost.” Earlier, the First Lady, who was represented by wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, said the programme was aimed at discussing issues that are germane to the welfare and well-being of citizens, especially SGBV. She said Lagos was delighted to join the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s 16 days of activism against SGBV as declared by the United Nations, with the theme: “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!” “In Lagos State, we have zero-tolerance for rape, defilement, and associated crimes. We have worked assiduously through a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ initiative to fight the menace in the state. “It is gratifying that through these efforts, we have been able to record some landmark feats. These include the declaration of Surulere, Bariga, and Alimosho as rape-free zones, presentation of three utility vehicles to critical agencies to support the fight against the menace, establishment of the Lagos State domestic and sexual violence agency and the sex offenders register that will provide a quantum leap in terms of the legal framework to significantly and frontally tackle the menace of domestic and sexual violence, name and shame perpetrators and most importantly provide adequate medical and legal support to the victims, among others,” she said.