Group Visits Lagos Assembly, Wants Stricter Punishment For Violence Against Women -Presents Draft Bill To Lagos Assembly

A group under the umbrella of DOHSCARE.ORG on advocacy against any form of lethal violence targeted at women and the girl-child in Nigeria, was on Thursday received by Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Led by Mrs. Ololade Ajayi, the group presented a draft bill to the Assembly stressing the need for better protection of women and female children across the country.

The organisation said it wanted the bill to be passed into law with offenders facing serious prosecution and punishment where necessary.

Receiving the group, Hon. Solomon Saanu Bonu, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that there is an existing Law that discourages violence against women and female children, which he said, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is championing.

“In Lagos State, any form of domestic violence against women and the girl-child cannot be tolerated. Some culprits have been prosecuted where they were found culpable,” he stated.

Hon. Bonu further said since the group has decided to codename its draft bill as ‘FEMICIDE’, it would be looked into and might be used to strengthen the existing Law.

On his part, Hon. Rasheed Adebola Shabi, Chairman House Committee on the Environment (Parastatal), assured the group that the Lagos State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, does not treat violence against women with levity.

He also promised that the draft bill will not be jettisoned, but worked on for the good of Lagos State.

Hon. Biodun Orekoya, Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Social Development, informed the group that a bill passes through some processes before becoming a law.

He further stressed that the House, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Obasa, is desirous of adequate protection for women and girls in the state.