LASG calls on SGBV campaigners to intensify moves in curbing violence against women, girls
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has called on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) campaigners to team up with it to tackle the menace which is growing in bound as a source of concern.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Hon. Mrs. Cecelia Dada made the call to 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 to commemorate the 16 days of Activism themed: ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Today,’ being organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other women-focused Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Dada reiterated that, November 25th marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which ends with the International Human Rights Day, December 10th.
Dada stated, “As a leader, and a 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, which 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 explained that the Ministry has established call toll line 767 centres for victims of SGBV, in order to enable them make complaints during emergencies.
While reiterating on the motive for effective consultation, the Commissioner disclosed that domestic desks were located in the 57 Local Governments/ Local Council Development Areas to enhance easy reach for survivors in addressing issues of SGBV.
Still speaking, 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 under her watch had embarked on a continuous sensitisation programmes to educate women and girls on their rights through past organised advocacy and sensitisation programmes on ways to curb SGBV for students in tertiary institutions, religious leaders, market leaders, community leaders, 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 promoted an integrated, comprehensive package of community interventions, including health and counseling services, to prevent and respond to SGBV.
The Commissioner stated “the State Government has invested so much in the campaigns against SGBV in partnership with the United Nations Population fund, United States Agency for International Development and some other women-focused NGO’s in Lagos State. Hence, 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.”
The Programme Manager, USAID and the Coordinator, South West Gender, IPS, Mrs. Mojisola Alewe in her remarks, 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, collaborative efforts were put together with partners of SGBV, in order to find areas of curbing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence amongst women and girls.
She informed that the USAID has collaborated with various partners on Art land projects and IPS projects to curb soaring incidence of SGBV with 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 and the country and the world at large.
She said that the importance of the collaboration is to strengthen the ongoing campaigns on SGBV and expect that the Lagos State Government will enact the VAPP Law so that perpetrators of SGBV can be adequately prosecuted for such gruesome offense
