In a determined effort to curb the menace of gender-based violence (GBV) in Lagos communities, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has taken its grassroots sensitization campaign to Agege and Oko-Oba areas, engaging residents through a door-to-door awareness initiative.
The outreach, which held over the weekend, saw DSVA officials, volunteers, and community advocates canvassing the neighbourhoods, sharing vital information on identifying, preventing, and reporting cases of domestic and sexual violence. Educational materials were distributed, and direct interactions were held with residents, with a focus on changing societal attitudes and encouraging victims to speak up.
Speaking during the exercise, Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the door-to-door campaign was part of the agency’s strategic approach to reach the most vulnerable, especially women, children, and underserved populations, with life-saving information. She emphasized that ending GBV requires collective community effort and the dismantling of cultural and societal barriers that enable abuse.
“We’re not just raising awareness—we are equipping people with the knowledge and tools to intervene, report, and prevent abuse before it escalates. Everyone has a role to play in eradicating gender-based violence,” she stated.
Residents of Agege and Oko-Oba expressed appreciation for the campaign, noting that many community members were previously unaware of their rights or the availability of support services. DSVA representatives also provided contact details of helplines and centres offering psychosocial support, legal aid, and emergency intervention.
The campaign is one of several initiatives by the Lagos State Government aimed at building safer communities, and it aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to zero tolerance for all forms of abuse in the state.