By Adebisi Onanuga,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
To wrap up the awareness month of September, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has held a Governor’s Commendation and Awards for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) gladiators, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA
Stakeholders in the advocacy against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) gathered in Lagos last week for the Governor’s Award and Commendation Night held to honour institutions, groups and agencies commited to the fight against Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV) and to make the society a saner place to live in.
The event which held at the White Stone Events Centre, Billings way, Oregun, Ikeja attracted top government officials, justices of the State High Court, top civil servants, a ndrights crusaders amongst others.
The awardees
The Most Responsive Family Support Unit (FSU) Desk went to Owutu FSU; the Most Family Social Services went to Eti-Osa Local Government; the Most Family Health Facility went to Sangotedo Primary Health Centre.
Ikorodu General Hospital was adjudged the Most Responsive General Hospital; the Women Rights and Health Project won the award of the Most Responsive Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) while Education District 5 was adjudged the Most Proactive Education District.
All the awardees also went home with N1 million cheque each.
Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the award was initiated to “to honour, and most importantly, to recognise the courage, passion, and dedication of individuals and institutions that had continued to shine in the fight against one of the greatest social issues confronting our society.”
Pedro said the theme of the event, “ SGBV, it concerned us all”, was timely and compelling.
Fight against SGBV a collective responsibility
“It underscores a vital truth, that the fight against sexual and gender-based violence cannot be borne by government alone. It is a collective duty and one that calls upon families, faith-based institutions, communities, private sector, and every individual to take part in the fight.”
According to him, “SGBV affects every part of our lives today, our homes, our schools, our work places, even in public spaces. It touches on our legal frameworks, health care system, educational structure, and most profoundly, it challenges, our shared human needs.”
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The Lagos Attorney-General commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the bold, and visionary leadership he had continued to demonstrate, in ensuring that access to justice remained a reality.
Lagos has remained at the fore front of legal policy and reforms, which are aimed at protecting the vulnerable and the weak through the DSVA, the office of the Bureau of Public Defenders (BPD), the Directorates of Citizens’ Rights (DCR), and all other justice sector institutions.
“We have continued to ensure that survivors were heard, survivors were believed, survivors were supported and where necessary, survivors were empowered.
Why the awards
“It is time to shed light on our heroes. The police officers who go beyond duty, the social workers who are the first responders, the nurses and doctors who attend to survivors with compassion. The teachers who raise awareness, the NGOs that take the risks daily, and the community leaders who refuse to be silenced.
“To you all, you are not just being recognised for your service, but you are being celebrated for giving hope, for standing in the dark and for making it clear that in Lagos State, silence is not an option for us for any sexual and gender-based violence..
“Let us all resolve and make commitment to prevention just as passionately as we have pursued justice. Let us all engage more in education, advocacy, and community engagement. Let us teach our children concepts, respects, and accountability..
“Let us build a system where survivors are supported and perpetrators are prosecuted”, he said.,
Agency to institute sanity in society
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Mrs. Joy Ugbomoiko, acknowledged the pivotal role of the agency in bringing sanity into the society and in instituting ethical values against unacceptable behavior in our society.
Mrs. Ugbomiko commended the first lady, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who she described as a strong advocate for the protection of the boy-child from violence and other forms of abuse. “I want to commend particularly the Executive Secretary and her formidable team in fighting the scourge of domestic violence and sexual abuse in courts and also creating awareness amongst the people of Lagos State on the dangers and future implications of not reducing the scourge to the barest minimum, I say kudos for a job well done.” she said. She reminded stakeholders that the Chief Judge signed a practice direction for protection order against domestic violence 2019 and that the document was a step in the right direction adding, “the laws are vibrant and are most protective of victims.” She commended the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, her team, and the awardees, urging them not to relent but to aspire to the next level.
Support for DSVA
Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, the Director Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Aolat Alade, urged all stakeholders and citizens to continue to support the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to build “the Lagos of our dreams.”
Mrs Hamzat noted that the DSVA has expressed unwavering support and is committed to justice, security, and provision of a safe environment for the society.
She commended the efforts of the DSVA in fighting the scourge of SGBV under her leadership of Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, saying that “a leader who knows the way, goes the way, shows the way”. She said it was based on this that she commended the agency for a job well done.
She noted that under her leadership, the agency championed the cause of the survivors, the eradication of SGBV and the promotion of safe environment for women and children, the young boys and girls and families.
DSVA instills sanity at homes
The Head of Service, Bode Agoro who was represented by Tunde Ogundeko commended the DSVA for bringing peace to may homes in Lagos,
Ogundeko remarked that the establishment of the agency has brought a lot of sanity into many homes.
“We found out that a lot of women are afraid to go back to their different homes because of the fear of what they are going to meet at home.
“Now we see women, men, children, and in did, everyone that ois entitled to a home are free to go back to their different homes because they are assured they are covered and enjoyed the protection of the DSVA and the legal system.
He noted that since the establishment of agency and after the register of sexual offenders was created, a lot of people who have really cautioned themselves in their different homes.
He commended the Executiv4e Secretary of the agency saying, “she has really brought lots of energy into the activity of the agency.
Police pledges continued support
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner in-charge of Administration, ACP Mary Ayim, stated that the award and commendation night was a clear demonstration of the government commitment to recognizing outstanding contributions towards the fight against SGBV and promoting the culture of accountability, dignity and justice.
CP Moshood Jimoh pledged the readiness of the State Police Command to be a strong partner of the DSVA in its noble mission of protecting the vulnerables, upholding human rights and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
He commended the Executive Secretary of DSVA Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi for being “tireless, passion driven’ and for her dedication to the fight against SGBV noting that her efforts under the guidance of Governor Sanwo-Olu, has translated into initiatives that are changing lives and restoring hope to survivors.
He also commended the governor for his leadership in strengthening institutions and for consistently supporting security agencies in their mandate to protect lives and properties.
Your visionary approach has made Lagos a model for all states to emulate.
He congratulated the honourees for their dedication and service to the society adding “your commitment inspires us to do more and indeed our collective efforts is making Lagos a safer haven for everybody to live .
“I am assuring you that the Lagos State Police Command will remain resolute, professional in ensuring the safety and security of the people particulalrly in in the fight against DSV.
Increased formal, informal reporting
The host of the event, Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi, during her interaction with the media disclosed that her agency has continued to record increases in the formal and informal reporting of cases. On average we attended to about 400 cases a month now.
“We know that this is still under-reported because we know that these issues continue to thrive because of the culture of silence and stigma that is associated with the menace. “But we are encouraged by the fact that Lagosians are having increased faith in the system and are becoming more aware of offices and organisations they can go to to access justice. “So, we are very grateful to all the survivors that have trusted us with their stories and Lagosians who saw themselves as mandated reporters who saw something and escalated appropriately.”
Interventions to reduce SGBV prevalence
On interventions in place to reduce SGBV incidences incidences in Lagos, she said “we are mainstreaming prevention into the main sectors, into the education sector, into the health sector, into the security sector. Into the justice sector as well because we are looking at the situation whereby children are now being empowered about their lives and issues of child abuse so that they can protect themselves appropriately.”
Plans for the New Year
Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that in the new year, it is the plan of her agency to continue to decentralize its offices across lagos. “We currently have offices in Kosofe and Ikorodu. Our aim, with the support of Mr Governor is to expand to other local governments, making access to justice a reality.”
Causes of domestic violence
According to her, there are many causes of the vice. “There is issue of patriarchy, gender inequality, socio-cultural factors. There is issue of Gender inequality which is at the heart of gender based violence.
There are different factors that contribute to the issue of SGBV, not just in Lagos Nigeria but globally.
Over 140 convictions in 1year
She said in the past one year, they have made over 140 convictions, ranging from life imprisonment to 25 years depending on evidence that is adduced.
Major breakthroughs, lingering challenges
She listed as their major break through, the increasing faith in the system. She said for so long, these issues have been shrouded in secrecy. So, the fact that people are mustering the corage to report is very encouraging.
She mentioned another major breakthrough as prevention, “We are being very heavy and deliberate on prevention, ensuring that we go the nooks and crannies of the state, leaving no society behind in advocacy efforts and preaching our no tolerance message.”
She said; “ these have been response from the society, unfortunately, there is still the rape culture, there is still the divide that blames, shame victims and survivors. So that is a major challenge that we are experiencing. “Of course, we continue to inform residence of Lagos that it is never the survivor’s fault but rather, it should be the perpetrator that should be named and shamed.”
Be a mandated reporter
She thanked everyone that had chosen to honour the agency with their presence. “SGBV concerns us all. We all have a duty to see ourselves as mandated reporters. When we see something, we should say something so that we can do something”, she stressed.
