LAGOS DSVA MARKS DECADE OF SERVICE WITH SYMPOSIUM

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… Vows To Ensure Heightened Awareness, Perpetrators Accountability

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has given assurance to stakeholders of a renewed commitment to addressing the issue of Sexual Violence, particularly by ensuring the prevention of the menace in the State

This assurance comes as the agency marks its 10 years of unwavering efforts in responding to the case of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Lagos with a symposium.

The symposium, which was organised in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, was designed to review the effectiveness of the Lagos State government’s efforts in the last decade to effectively address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Speaking at the event held recently in Lagos, themed: “Are We Doing Enough? A Consideration of Lagos States Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Last Decade”, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said that the event was organised to reflect on the progress made so far in tackling the scourge, while countering the challenges with prompt and proactive measures for the future.

Vivour-Adeniyi noted that the issue of domestic and sexual violence are crimes perpetrated behind closed doors which violate the fundamental rights of individuals, and efforts must be geared towards breaking the culture of silence and creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors.

She stressed that in the last 10 years, the state government has continued to demonstrate its commitment to combating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence through the enactment of relevant laws, formulation of policies and creation of institutions which will be enhanced going forward..

She added that the goal of the symposium is to formulate actionable strategies that will enhance the State’s prevention and response to SGBV in the years to come.

Keynote speaker at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Department Services) University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa said that in the last 10 years, the agency has evolved and delivered on its mandate to protect the vulnerable, particularly women and children who are being abused.

Atsenuwa, who highlighted some of the initiatives of the agency towards ensuring adequate enlightenment of the residents on the menace, acknowledged the critical role played by women in the past to engender the right to be protected, stressing that the state government’s interventions had raised the bar of understanding of the problems and solutions were proffered.

She, however, called for the sustainability of the system by expanding its capacity that will be hinged on government and public collaborations.

Panellists at the symposium lauded the strides of the state government in the last 10 years to reduce the cases of domestic violence while calling for an increase in funding and logistics for the stakeholders to carry out proper investigations.

They also seek localisation of DSVA activities in the local communities, raise more public awareness and ensure there is a community accountability model where all strata in the community are accountable to the idea of issues of domestic and sexual violence. They also emphasised the need to enable the system to run efficiently to cater for the survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases in Lagos State.

The Panelists also discussed the various strides needed for the propagation of the quest to rid the State of all forms of abuse and Domestic Violence.

Dignitaries at the events included the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, represented by Hon. Justice H.O. Oshodi; AIG Adegoke Fayoade of Police Zone 2;

Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa of Rolac/IIdea and Mrs. Kemi DaSilva Ibru, founder Women at Risk International Foundation, among others.