Heads of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Departments in the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LG/LCDAs) recently held a Sensitisation Awareness Walk on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Drug Abuse in Ikeja Local Government Area.
The Walk, which coincides with Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month with the theme: “SGBV? Not On My Watch!”, started from Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, through Computer Village – Ikeja UnderBridge – Ipodo Market and terminated at Local Government Service Commission Office, Old Secretariat.
Speaking during the sensitisation walk, the President, Body of Lagos State LG/LCDAs Heads of the Department of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and HOD of WAPA, Iba LCDA, Mrs. Wosilat Marotiwon said the theme of this year’s sensitisation is based on the compelling need to ensure that Lagosians realise 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.
According to Marotiwon, “The role of women in society cannot be overemphasised as the saying building a girl child is building a nation. Psychologically, SGBV affects both women and children, and occasionally, men equally fall victim. Engaging men to prevent violence can equally help to restore better relationships among families”.
The President noted that the walk for fitness served as an effective platform to engage the community on the importance of reporting the SGBV menace whenever it occurs in their respective domains, as the State Government has declared a zero-tolerance stance on all sexual and gender-based cases in Lagos.
In her goodwill message, the Vice President of the Body and the Head of the Department, WAPA, Agboyi Ketu LCDA, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Somoye said Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month is typically observed in September to raise awareness about the critical issues, support survivors, and advocate for prevention.
Her words, “Domestic violence is a serious and pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. It is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to maintain power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. This can include physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological abuse”.
“On drug abuse, we should talk to our children not to engage themselves in any form of drug abuse; when using drugs or injecting yourself that are not prescribed by the doctor, it is drug abuse”, the Vice President added.
In her remarks, the Chairman, 2024 Organising Committee for the Sensitisation Awareness Walk, and the Head of the Department of WAPA, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Mrs. Olamide Alale said gender-based violence affects every person directly or indirectly.
She noted that SGBV was rooted in gender inequality, patriarchy and power imbalance, describing gender-based violence as any violence which targeted individuals or groups based on their genders.
In a similar vein, Princess Adenike Akitoye, the Trustee of the Body of LG/LCDAs HODs WAPA, said there are cases where women abuse men when they know that the men are weak, when they know that their men love them and take advantage of that love.
She advised children and youth that the future is bright. Hence, they need to make their life worthwhile and need to be useful for themselves and their family, community and nation.
Many residents appreciated the efforts of the HODs, noting that the sensitisation awareness on SGBV and Drug Abuse serves as an eye-opener, especially for women, children and youth.
