They Were Silenced For Years Until Today

At exactly 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2026, the quiet hall of 66 Diamond Hotel in Bolade, a busy neighbourhood of Oshodi, Lagos slowly began to fill.

The ladies took their seats alongside some residents of Bolade. Some came out of curiosity. Others arrived with questions they had carried for years, burdens in their hearts and thoughts they had never voiced.

For many, it was the first time they would sit in a gathering where legal practitioners would speak directly to them, listen attentively to their responses and concerns, with assurance that they could speak without fear.

In that space, the ladies were able to voice many issues, ask questions freely, and gather valuable information that had long been out of reach.

The gathering marked the Community Legal Clinic on Sexual and Gender Based Violence organised by the Women’s Rights and Health Project WRAHP, managers of the Ireti Resource Centre.

The session created an open platform where residents were educated on their rights and encouraged to ask questions immediately about domestic violence, people infringing on their rights, and everyday issues such as clients who refuse to pay as agreed.

Legal practitioner, Mrs Amaka Agianpuye addressing the ladies

Participants sought clarity on the legal consequences attached to abuse, harassment, and exploitation. This section of the session was taken by Barrister Amaka Aganpuye. Aganpuye, a legal practitioner, broke down complex legal terms into simple, practical explanations, helping residents understand what the law says, how it is applied to their daily lives, and the consequences for perpetrators.

She also addressed real-life situations that affect residents, such as defaulted agreements over services or sales, and explained how the law protects them in such cases.

Through the session, residents were also taught how to report cases through mobile applications and existing reporting channels. One particular participant, identified as Faith (not her real name), said she had always believed reporting would not work, as she recalled instances where her colleagues were slapped and harassed by uniformed men in hotels yet remained silent due to low self-esteem shaped by the nature of their work.

Another legal practitioner who spoke on child rights has emphasised that children must be protected at all costs. She highlighted that even when one parent or caregiver fails in their responsibilities, the other parent or responsible adult can report to the court to ensure the child’s welfare is safeguarded. Children have the right to protection and should never be neglected or abandoned.

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She advised parents and caregivers not to leave their children to navigate life on their own. Cases that include signs of abuse, physical, emotional, or sexual assault should be reported immediately rather than swept under the carpet or kept silent, as doing nothing allows perpetrators to act freely and may even result in the one who was once a victor becoming a perpetrator in the future.

The session also covered practical steps for safeguarding children, reinforcing that a child’s safety and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between parents and the wider community.

By the end of the clinic, participants left with clearer understanding, renewed confidence, and the reassurance that their rights are recognised and protected under the law.

Questions were answered, fears were acknowledged, and knowledge was shared, marking a step forward toward awareness, empowerment, and practical action in Bolade Oshodi.