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Lagos Anti-Sexual Violence Agency Unites Stakeholders As World Commemorates 16 Days Of Activism
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) is uniting stakeholders across the state and beyond in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against domestic and sexual violence.
The world’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.
The 2023 theme is, “Unite – Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said this year’s edition is another opportunity to amplify voices and raise awareness about issues of sexual and gender-based violence which continue to remain pervasive in the society.
According to Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi, several activities have been curated to heighten awareness about the eradication of violence against women and children.
She said these activities include Intergenerational Conversations and Town Hall meetings at Badagry, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Island Local Government Areas and the Advocacy Walk tagged: “Women Arise” which will take place in Epe Local Government Area.
These events would feature participants and stakeholders from different strata of society.
“As part of our statutory mandate, we would also be embarking on various training and capacity-building initiatives including training of Judges and Magistrates on best practices for adjudicating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, training of Desk Officers drawn from the 20 Local Government Areas as well as sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns for children,” she said.
Vivour-Adeniyi stated further, that the agency would also recognise 16 outstanding women who have distinguished themselves in the quest to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls just like it was done last year.
The Lagos DVSA Executive Secretary, therefore, urged residents of Lagos State to join the 16 days of activism by being active bystanders, believing survivors, see themselves as Mandated Reporters – if they see something, they must say something and do something.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the agency, in conjunction with the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (ROLAC) programme, organized a training for SGBV Desk Officers from across the Local Government and Local Council development areas in Lagos State at the Protea Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos.
Executive Secretary, Lagos DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, speaking at the sensitization programme on elimination of gender-based violence
According to a statement issued by the Lagos DSVA spokesperson, Adejoke Ladenegan-Oginni, on Tuesday, the agency’s Executive Secretary, said the agency, in response to the pressing need for a coordinated and effective approach, which is part of its statutory mandate, proposed a comprehensive strategy to enhance the capacity of responder agencies in addressing SGBV which informed ensuring capacity building for all relevant responder agencies across the state.
She stressed that given the above, Lagos DSVA in partnership with ROLAC organized the capacity of focal persons across the 20 LGAs and LCDAs to be able to respond to SGBV cases optimally.
Vivour-Adeniyi told the gathering that the objectives of training will help develop protocols for seamless inter-agency cooperation, including information-sharing and referral mechanisms, will provide responders with in-depth knowledge about the various forms of SGBV, including cultural nuances and intersectionality.
She said further that the training would also aid responders on the reporting mechanisms established by Lagos State whilst emphasizing the importance of accurate and timely reporting and establishing clear procedures for documenting SGBV cases in alignment with Lagos State protocols.
The programme with 100 participants availed sessions which included Understanding relevant laws by Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Sisability Inclusion in handling SGBV cases by General Manager, LASODA, Mr. Dare Dairo, Understanding the Gender Roles by Mr. Damilare Adewusi, and Approaches to SGBV by Mrs. Tumininu Oni.
Participants at the sensitization programme on elimination of gender-based violence
The training is expected to strengthen responder competency in addressing Lagos State-specific SGBV challenges, improve collaboration and communication among responder agencies within the State; enhance utilization of Lagos State legal and reporting frameworks; increase confidence and capability of responders in delivering survivor-centric services.
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