Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode says there is no hiding place for rapists and women-beaters in Lagos as government will go after them and ensure that the full weight of the law falls on them.

Ambode spoke at the opening ceremony of the 15th Annual National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), on Wednesday at the Eko Hotel and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Ambode said his administration is committed to the protection of women and the girl child against violence and rape, saying that his government had continued to increase its budgetary provision for women through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as the administration would continue in this regard and create more platforms for Women engagement.

“We will pursue programmes that will enable our women to be self-reliant through the provision of financial facilities and capacity building. We will establish more skills acquisition centres to equip our women to take charge of their destiny and show their relevance in the present economic turbulence.

“As a government, we have no doubt about our women’s relevance in economic turbulence. With the profound qualities our women possess, I do not think anyone should be in doubt. As part of measures to ensure that our women play an important role in the state, my government has also put in place policies to protect and secure our women.

“This administration is committed, more than ever before, to uphold the rule of law and ensure that the law against domestic violence and abuse, including rape against our teenage girls, are brought to the fore. We are already on the right path in our battle against rapists and the need to protect rape victims,” he said.

Ambode said government had embarked on a 5-year maternal mortality rate reduction programme and an integrated maternal newborn and child health strategy as well as implementing a comprehensive revitalization of the public healthcare system with a view to providing free maternal healthcare in all communities.

“We are the only state to have a Domestic Violence Law. We will continue to sensitize women about this law and ensure its total enforcement to ensure our women are never abused again. I want to appeal and urge you all to speak out whenever cases of domestic abuse and violence occur.

“We believe strongly that our women must be encouraged and properly enabled so that our nation can benefit more from their immense potential. At this critical moment of economic challenge, we cannot afford to leave our women behind. To do so will be like a bird that attempts to fly with one wing,” he stated.

Declaring the conference open, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu said the theme of the conference, which is “Relevance in Economic Turbulence,” was quite timely considering the difficult phase the nation is currently passing through.

According to him, this called for concerted effort and the contribution of everyone that had a stake in the prosperity of the country, saying that apart from the challenge of stabilising the home front and shielding it from the full effect of the current economic reality, “we must harness the time-tested skills of women in financial management.

“Women are too important to be relegated to the background in the search for appropriate strategies that will facilitate the recovery process and ongoing efforts aimed at putting the economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.”

Chairman, COWLSO, Bolanle Ambode said the theme of the conference was a clarion call to the women to be prepared and be sensitive to the economic situation in the country and around the world.

“The theme will address how we can keep our integrity as women and teachers of morals, even in the face of ugly economic situations, and avert any unforeseen economic hardship that could affect our families and the society.

“Across the nation, citizens are drawing attention to hard economic realities. This conference will offer new insights and solutions which are important to establishing and maintaining good quality of life,” she said.

PMNEWS