Lagos state Government advocates for Gender-based violence survivors

On Jul 5, 2023

The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, has revealed that the agency is set to embark on sustainable and proactive programmes in the fight against the menace of Sexual Gender-based violence (SGBV) and will also engage Association of Professional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria, (APWECON) during one of the programmes. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said this during an engagement with the Association of Professional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria, Lagos State.

The agency also revealed that 75 per cent of gender-based violence survivors have prior knowledge of their partner’s abusive behaviour before marriage.

Vivour-Adeniyi said that in spite of being aware of their partner’s abusive behaviour, some survivors still went ahead to get married to such people, hence, ending up in abusive marriages.

According to her, while DSVA ensures that survivors of domestic and sexual violence get the necessary and available support and services needed, preventive measures remain the most efficient way of addressing sexual and gender-based violence issues.

She also noted that engaging members of APWECON on their role in preventing the menace of domestic and sexual violence in the state is one of the measures for preventing such abuses.

The executive secretary also added that statistics had shown that marriage contracted under customary law and traditional practice were the preferred forms of solemnisation.

She however maintained that in such forms of solemnisation, the Alaga strategic and influential role while interfacing with intending couples and attending participants should not be undermined.

“Statistics from our agency reveal that over 75 per cent of clients reporting matrimonial abuses had prior knowledge of the abusive behaviour of their partners but proceeded with the union for various reasons. Also, 70 per cent of these survivors submit to customary law and marriage. We intend to infuse advocacy around domestic violence into existing traditional marriage ceremonies conducted by Alagas in Lagos State, so it will have far-reaching effects. This has birthed this programme, ”Idile Alayo”, which amongst other things keeps many abreast of the growing trend of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence issues in Lagos State. We use this medium to implore you to use your influence in the course of officiating traditional unions to advocate against domestic violence and preach the Zero tolerance message. Together, we can salvage our state from this destructive menace,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

In her goodwill message, the APWECON Governor, Mrs. Matilda Shipeolu, said that the event was a welcome initiative to boost their roles as comperes, as well as ensure a strong foundation for a violence-free home

She said that the association had always taken it as a priority to address sexual and gender-based violence issues before, during, and after marriage. She said the training had improved their knowledge of new techniques and ways to reduce domestic violence in society.

Wumi/Punch