A quantum 6,000 lives touched is cheering! Fifty convictions within Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in one year calls for double celebrations!!!
But beyond these inspiring reports are thousands of ill-fated survivors of this malaise yet unreached by government. In contemporary Nigeria, Lagos State inclusive, the culture of silence in the face of domestic violence, rape and sexual molestation is prevalent. This behavioral pattern in most cases stems from cultural shift, fear of stigmatisation, open threats, intimidation, religious sentiments, family compromises and ignorance of institutional support among others. “The man dies who keeps silent in the face of tyranny” is a popular maxim. By inference, a victim of SGBV dies who keeps mum following sexual molestation, rape or domestic violence.
In some parts of Lagos, for example, neighbours had turned a blind eye to child molestation and domestic abuses of minors. Several incidents of rape have gone unreported because the victim’s family members are complicit in covering up the crime. In other cases, the hapless victim is threatened with ejection or ostracism by fellow residents. There is also the angle of insensitive law enforcement officers who subject SGBV victims who dare report to ridicule and unsavoury interrogation. These among other societal pressures inform the culture of silence that assails government’s efforts at eradicating these wicked practices. These are major concerns of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the state dedicates the month of September to sexual violence awareness campaign.
Impressively, since officials of the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) revved up their advocacy in the last one year, awareness level has grown significantly. Essentially, resources were deployed in educating Lagosians about the need to speak up when faced with SGBV. The agency, headed by Mrs. Titilayo Vivour-Adeniyi, has relentlessly activated its instruments of awareness creation viz community engagements, school outreaches and liaisons with relevant NGOs. With that, the agency kept reassuring Lagosians of government institutional supports when they speak up against SGBV in their vicinities. This much is underscored by the governor in his message to Lagosians titled ” Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Not in my Lagos, Not in my watch.” in which he notes ” while several gains have been made, a lot of survivors are yet to access the services and these issues continue to thrive in secrecy”.
Be that as it may, Sanwo-Olu then made a clarion call, “together we can raise awareness, support survivors and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. My administration through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda have implemented comprehensive, preventive and remedial policies including strategic interventions and programmes to provide support, empower, protect and ensure justice for survivors. You can trust that my administration is fully committed to this cause. Therefore, I urge every Lagosian to join us this September and beyond as we unite to say No to domestic and sexual violence”.
Unveiling the campaign, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), represented by Acting Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga, told journalists that activities lined up for the commemoration include a sensitization walk across the state, symposium, Men Wey Sabi, Campus Activations, the Turn Alausa Purple campaign which would see all public servants adorning colour purple, and advocacy walk against domestic and sexual violence.
Oyenuga disclosed there have been recorded incidents in Ajeromi Local Government prompting the need to engage residents, inform them on relevant reporting channels even as he reiterated government’s zero tolerance for all forms of SGBV”. He explained further” one of the ways this would be achieved is through our Eko Men Walk against SGBV slated for 9 September, while another awareness walk will take place from Ile-Zik, along the local airport area of Lagos-Abeokuta expressway to Ipodo market, computer village and within Ikeja local government.
Oyenuga also threw light on the theme of the campaign stating, “the theme for this year is based on the compelling need to ensure that Lagosians realize that ending the menace of Sexual and Gender Based Violence is indeed a collective effort, which requires the support and collaboration of all members of society. We therefore, intend to engage all demographics including men, women and children”, he said.
