WRAHP’s Ireti Resources Centre Partners With Canada Fund For Local Initiative To Deliver Free Legal Aid In Alimosho
In an impactful effort to extend legal aid services to the underprivileged in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), operators of the Ireti Resources Centre, collaborated with the Canada Fund for Local Initiative to organize a community legal clinic in Ayobo. Over 50 individuals from marginalized communities benefited from the initiative.
Bose Ironsi, the Executive Director of WRAHP, emphasized the vital role of community legal clinics in providing assistance to underprivileged and marginalized groups. She highlighted the clinic’s focus on ensuring access to justice, particularly for girls and women who are survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Ironsi explained, “This program offers an opportunity for community members to access pro bono legal services, including representation, advice, and counseling on legal frameworks related to SGBV, Human Rights, Child Rights Law, disability law, and Domestic Violence law. It also provides assistance with safety planning and accessing resources on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
The initiative, funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiative, aims to empower survivors by providing comprehensive information on their legal rights. WRAHP collaborates with diverse community structures, including artisans, market women and men, and religious leaders.
Abdulwahab Bakare, a lawyer and member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja chapter, shed light on the Lagos State Special Peoples Law enacted in 2011. He emphasized its provisions for people living with disabilities and called for awareness among the participants to reach out to Ireti Resources Centre when their rights are infringed upon.
Cynthia Ibeh, Assistant Secretary of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) Badagry chapter, focused on children’s rights during the clinic. She highlighted the various rights children possess and emphasized Lagos State’s zero tolerance for perpetrators of crimes against them. Ibeh urged participants to report any violations to Ireti Resources Centre.
Reflecting on the success of the sensitization program, Ibeh stated, “People have been coming to Ireti Resources Centre. We also told them about the need to be conscious and look out in their communities for such issues and make reports.”
Turayo Falade, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and property manager, addressed forms of domestic violence and tenancy laws during the clinic. Omotayo Lawal, the monitoring and evaluation officer at WRAHP, emphasized that Ireti Resources Centre provides psychosocial support services like counseling therapy and aims to enlighten participants about their rights and where to seek help when infringed upon.
The collaborative effort between WRAHP’s Ireti Resources Centre and the Canada Fund for Local Initiative signifies a significant step towards ensuring justice and empowerment for the underprivileged in Alimosho.
