The Socioeconomic rights desk of gender and human rights programme, JDPC works to protect, promote and realize social and economic rights as well as the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for the benefit of the citizens of Ogun State. In achieving this, a human rights-based approach is adopted, and the desk engage in the following underlisted activities to further protect and promote the realization of these rights.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR
The desk has worked with local communities within Ogun east senatorial district for over twenty (20) years to address issues of abuse of social and economic rights as well as environmental rights within their communities. Over the years, we have worked on issues ranging from water and air pollution, the right to water, workers right, environmental protection and sustainability, solid waste management, compensations for destruction of economic crops and farm produce as a result of development projects; allegations of abuse by companies (allegations have been particularly high in extractive operations (quarrying) compared to other companies which has led to vibrations, air, noise and water pollution in host communities).
In addressing these issues, we empowered local communities through the different trainings and awareness raising sessions organized for them to be able to identify and understand the human rights that have been abused, claim and demand for their rights from the government and the private sector. JDPC engaged in advocacy work at the federal, state and local government levels to ensure that the government fulfil their obligation to respect, promote and fulfill the social and economic rights of citizens. The media too was engaged by organizing press conferences, publication in newspapers.
The desk also carried out human rights training sessions on workers’ right to ensure occupational safety and health compliance and also helped employees who sustained injury at work get justice and compensations.
The partners we have worked with for the promotion, protection and realization of social, economic and environmental rights include Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), Environmental Rights Action (ERA) and Earth care Foundation.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON CURRENTLY
Currently we are working on ensuring that the government implements existing environmental laws and policies in Ogun State for a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
To achieve this, we are engaging with relevant stakeholders including government, the academia, beneficiary communities and the private sector on climate change issues, environmental protection, environmental sustainability, environmental impact assessment.
We engage the government for enforcement of the compliance of the private sector such as industries and companies to environmental standards as provided by laws and policies within the state as the right to clean and healthy environment is directly linked to the enjoyment of civil, political, social and economic rights.
We have a subsisting collaboration with the Ogun state ministry of environment and in November 2023, we conducted a baseline survey on the environment and climate change in Ogun State. Currently, we are planning to carry out the second phase of the baseline survey to target companies and industries in Ogun State.
On climate change, we create awareness on the issues and challenges, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Community groups are also supported with seedlings and encouraged to plant trees to help reduce the impacts of climate change.
