Lagos State Celebrates Champions Against Gender-Based Violence
Lagos State Government has celebrated individuals and organisations that are committed to the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence at a Commendation Night.
The State through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA is doing this to inspire and encourage all stakeholders to increase their commitment in bringing relief to the victims and eradicate the menace in the society.
Commendation Night is the climax of its awareness month about Sexual and Gender-Based Violence SGBV which was designed to canvass citizens’ support to key into the THEMES+ Agenda of the State Government.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that various initiatives and advocacy programmes carried out by the agency towards raising public awareness, rehabilitating victims and ensuring justice for domestic and sexual violence offenders have significantly and positively impacted the target audience by encouraging more victims to speak out and end the cowardly culture of silence.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hudenyin explained that the increasing number of victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence seeking intervention of the agency is a pointer to its acceptability by the public.
He affirmed that his government would like to see more convictions of the bad eggs in society so as to serve as a deterrent to others lurking in the dark to commit such heinous crimes.
According to him “The increasing numbers of victims of domestic and sexual violence seeking intervention of the agency between May 2019 and July 2023 reaches about 20,614, it’s a testimony of the agency’s reach, acceptability and impact on the populace.
“In 2022, 70 numbers of convictions were secure while about 600 cases are ongoing this is a testament to the agency’s commitment and dedication to this administration’s zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence.”
Act of Evil
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as evil, wicked and inhumane and called for collaboration and partnership with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA to end the scourge.
“May I reiterate here today my administration’s determination not to relent in supporting the work and effort of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence agency and those of various organisations that are committed to this noble course.
“We are poised in administration to ensure that we have and do enjoy a safer and more secure environment where our children, women and men are at liberty to live happy lives. This is what the pillar S’ under our THEMES+ developmental agenda represents; Security and Governance.”
“Further, our renewed focus on this menace is expressed in the plus components of the Themes+agenda, which stands for Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth development.”
The Governor, however, commended the Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency DSVA, Ms. Titilayo Vivour-Adeniyi for the hard work and commitment to continue to realise the mandate of the agency and allow the public to offer the required support to the victims of this act to make them overcome their tender physical and psychological trauma.
Relentless fight
Earlier, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro explained that the State has been relentless in the fight against any form of Sexual and Domestic abuse and this engagement according to him has been robust and fruitful.
Pedro stressed that the gathering is to celebrate the State’s modest achievements in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, inspire all stakeholders to increase their efforts to bring succour to survivors and ultimately eradicate the menace in the society.
“Since the inspection of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team DSVRT which metamorphosis into Lagos DSVA, the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence has been relentless.
“Today we celebrate real heroes who despite the societal pressure, untold hardship, denials and pains, were bold enough to speak out and say enough are enough. We celebrate all survivors of all forms of sexual and Gender-Based Violence and are assured of our commitment to reduce the perpetration of this crime to the barest minimum.”
“These individuals and organisations to be recognised today have remained resolute to contribute their quota to this noble cause, supporting with the expertise, time, resources and rising gallantly to the occasion when the need arises.”
“Time of complacency is long gone, and this realisation is of utmost importance as the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared zero tolerance for all forms of sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
He however urged the public to help sustain the conversation at work and religious places, institutions, residential and social areas to enable us to galvanise a progressive society.
In their goodwill messages, critical stakeholders, including the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, State Commissioner of Police who were all represented at the event lauded the effort of the government towards fighting the menace while restating their commitment to support the agency at all time.
Dominica Nwabufo
