LASU, UNFPA, and CRPSGBV Join Forces to Combat Gender-Based Violence
LASU, UNFPA, and CRPSGBV have partnered to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in emergency situations, with a recent visit to an IDP camp and a sexual assault reference center marking progress in their "Training the Trainers" program.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in emergency situations, the Lagos State University (LASU) has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CRPSGBV). The recent visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Igando and the IDERA Sexual Assault Reference Centre at Igando General Hospital marked a significant step forward in the ongoing "Training the Trainers" programme.
The programme, which commenced on Thursday, 25th April 2024, aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively combat GBV in emergencies. Facilitators and participants conducted a GBV audit during the visit, observing the operations of both centres while familiarizing themselves with the mission and core values of the Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) Course.
Welcoming the group at the IDP Camp, Mr. Olukolade Simeon Olatunbosun, the Camp Commandant/Head of Special Duties at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Igando Centre, expressed gratitude for the visit. He highlighted Lagos State's unique position as the only state in Nigeria with a permanent IDP camp, providing shelter to over 30,000 migrants during natural disasters, armed conflicts, and community violence.
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The visit continued at the IDERA Sexual Assault Reference Centre at Igando General Hospital, where Mrs. Moromoke Babatunde-Martins, the Centre Manager, warmly received the facilitators and participants. She commended LASU for being the first institution in the South-West region to offer this vital training, emphasizing its potential to empower participants to become trainers for other institutions.
Participants found the visit insightful, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and ongoing efforts to address GBV in emergency situations. The two-week training programme will conclude with a closing ceremony on Friday, 26th April 2024, at the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Centre, LASU main campus, Ojo, Lagos.
This collaborative initiative highlights the commitment of LASU, UNFPA, and CRPSGBV to combatting GBV and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations in emergency settings. Through education, training, and community engagement, these organizations aim to create a safer and more inclusive society for all.
