Lagos State government has engaged religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim Clerics on how to help support the drive of promulgating the advocacy on Domestic and Gender-Based Violence through the pulpits.
The state, through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), convened stakeholders engagement involving about 200 participants at the LCCI Ikeja.
Welcoming the participants with her presentation on the relevant laws on Domestic and Sexual Violence in Lagos State, the Executive Secretary DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the 19-sections document highlighted the sexual and domestic offences and encapsulated the accompanied punishment for the culprits.
Vivour-Adeniyi explained that participants were made to comb through the laws, in order to learn the intricacies of the document and to know that Domestic Violence law is to prevent another form of violence from happening and that can only be done through a restraining order.
She maintained that religious leaders play a key role in shaping belief systems and they are usually first responders whenever issues of Gender-Based Violence occur, stressing that the pulpits will be used to reach out to the conscience of those in their congregations to stop the criminal acts.
“Our mandate statutorily is to ensure we leave no one behind in our advocacy, so the way we are engaging religious clerics is the same way we engage other critical stakeholders like community leaders, traditional rulers and everyone that has a role to play in the community.
“The truth is that sexual and Gender-Based Violence is not a respecter of age, class, grade or religion, anybody can perpetrate it and can as well become a victim, so it is important to engage religious leaders from this perspective.
“We know sometimes they serve as first responders whenever issues of Gender-Based violence are reported. It is important for us to let them know the relevant laws that exist and support services available that their congregation can take advantage of anytime the need arises.”
Vivour-Adeniyi added that there are 22 specialized police stations in the state that can be reached on issues of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, while informing the participants that High courts and Magistrate courts are the appropriate court that can entertain issues relating to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
While taking the participants through different laws on Domestic Violence and sections, she said the engagement will further broaden their knowledge to know their role on how to make case for survivors as well as make necessary referral to relevant responder agencies and seek justice for them.
Peaceful coexistence
The Chief Missioner, Nasirullahi-li-Fathi society (NASFAT), Imam Abdul Azeez Onike, said domestic violence transcends the friction between men and women and that Islam preaches peace and tranquil ambience between couples and frowns at any act that can jeopardize peaceful coexistence among the people.
Onike said many Islamic organizations including NASFAT have been working with numerous NGOs to enlighten and advance the campaign against any form of Gender-Based violence, and prevent anything that can breed peaceful homes.
He appreciated the state government for taking up the initiative that will improve family ties and bring about a perfect society devoid of rancor, enmity and ensure sanity among the citizenry.
Continuous advocacy
The Presiding Chaplain, Chapel of Christ Delight Lagos State, Rev. Dr Oladele Ajayi said the church has been at the fore front to ensure several marriages that are on the verge of collapsing are restored.
“The reality is that we have this problem around and as a pastor we have seen so many issues on domestic violence, either complaints by a wife or husband. It could be emotional, financial or physical abuse at some point, we have to engage to the level of separation. We must continue to inform them about the laws of the land that can arrest anyone that perpetrate in any form of abuse and people should desist form stigmatising those that have come out to speak of being abused.”
Rev. Ajayi noted that the Church has been increasing its advocacy levels because the issues of domestic violence and sexual abuse has been a reoccurring decimal that needs fervent campaign to address.
Proper Judgement
Some of the participants called for continuous sensitization by the government and they also enjoined victims to break the culture of silence and escalate the case to the appropriate authorities.
They also urged the victims to speak up and should not allow culture, religion or community affiliations to stop them, thereby making the criminals go unpunished.
