16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM: LASG CALLS ON EXPERTS TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO CURB SGBV VIOLENCE.(PHOTOS).#PRESS RELEASE

- November 29, 2023

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM: LASG CALLS ON EXPERTS TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO CURB SGBV VIOLENCE

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Cecelia Bolaji Dada has charged Sexual and Gender-Based Violence experts across various organisations to intensify campaigns in curbing the increasing menace of violence against women and girls in Lagos State.

Speaking during a Walk procession organised by the Ministry, in collaboration with USAID and other women-focused NGOs, to commemorate the 16 days of Activism, themed: "Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls" on Monday, Dada reiterated that November 25 marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which ends with the International Human Rights Day on December 10th.

In her words, “As a leader, and woman, gender equality and women’s empowerment are causes that are near and dear to me, for they are priorities for the Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as well, who has made gender equity and equality, a cornerstone of his Administration, with a first-ever national strategy to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls.”

She further explained that the Ministry has established a call toll line “767” centres for victims of SGBV to enable them to make complaints during emergencies, adding that domestic help desks are located in the 57 Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas to enhance easy reach for survivors in addressing issues of SGBV.

She averred that the recuperating homes for the rehabilitation of survivors will soon be ready with available facilities to ensure that they become financially stable by acquiring skills at the Skills Acquisition Centre within such homes.

Dada said the Ministry had embarked on continuous sensitization programmes to educate women and girls on their rights through past organised advocacy and sensitization programmes on ways to curb SGBV for students in Tertiary Institutions, Religious Leaders, Market Leaders, Community Leaders and Marriage Registrars because such will help to communicate the State Government’s policies on SGBV to residents in their areas.

She opined that the state government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has initiated an integrated, comprehensive package of community interventions, including health and counselling services, to prevent and respond to SGBV.

“The State Government has invested so much in the campaigns against SGBV in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Women, United States for International Development and some other women-focused NGOs in Lagos State. This is because Nations that have gender parity have greater economic and developmental growth, less conflict, and higher rates of literacy than those that do not. Fundamentally, we see it as our duty – and that of everyone who seeks a just and equitable society – to ensure women and girls have opportunities not just to participate but also to lead in all aspects of life”,

On her part, Mrs. Mojisola Alewe, the Programme Manager, USAID, and the Coordinator, South - West Gender, IPS, stated that the 16 days of Activism is a laudable initiative earmarked by the United Nations to curb SGBV around the world. She emphasised that every year, efforts were put together with partners to find areas of curbing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence amongst women and girls.

She informed that USAID has collaborated with various partners on Art land projects and IPS projects to curb the soaring incidence of SGBV with a clear indication of reporting it on the Lagos State Dashboard.

The Director, Domestic Violence Unit, in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi stated that the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a continuous programme that must reach every area of the State, the country and the world at large.

She said the importance of the collaboration is to strengthen the ongoing campaigns on SGBV and expects that the Lagos State Government will enact the VAPP Law so that perpetrators of SGBV can be adequately prosecuted for such gruesome offences against women and girls.

More photos below.