Lagos DSVA Sensitises Communities on Gender-Based Violence

​​​​​The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has intensified its grassroots advocacy campaign with a sensitisation programme aimed at raising awareness on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in communities across the state. The initiative was held at Oloko Community in Iju-Ishaga and Ifesowapo Community in Ijaye as part of efforts to educate residents on preventing abuse and supporting survivors

​​Officials from the agency’s Community Engagement Department, Mr. Akinde Emmanuel and Mrs. Tolani Adegboyega, led the engagement, enlightening participants on the various forms of abuse that exist within society. According to them, abuse can manifest in physical, sexual, emotional and economic forms, all of which have severe consequences for victims and the wider community.

During the session, the representatives also highlighted the support services available to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State. They explained the procedures for reporting cases and emphasized the importance of speaking up to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

Community members were encouraged to promptly report incidents through the agency’s toll-free line, 08000-333-333. The facilitators also urged residents to spread awareness within their neighbourhoods, ensuring that individuals who could not attend the programme are equally informed about available resources and reporting mechanisms.

​​​Traditional leaders in the community, including the Baale of Oloko, Chief Mathew Oloko, and Chief Wahab Saliu Adisa, commended the agency for bringing the sensitisation programme to their communities. They described sexual and gender-based violence as a long-standing societal problem and called for sustained collaboration between the government, community leaders and other stakeholders to effectively address the menace.