Lagos Govt Collaborates With 16 Traditional Rulers To Lead Fight Against GBV

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu‘s government of Lagos State has announced its collaboration with 16 traditional rulers to enhance advocacy efforts in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the state.

Naija News reports that the State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) initiative coincides with the observance of this year’s 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence, which commenced on November 25, 2024.

During the launch of the advocacy campaign at the Oniwaya of Iwaya Palace in the Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, emphasized the importance of utilizing international observance days in partnership with traditional leaders to address the advocacy gaps related to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the region.

She further elaborated that the agency based its selection of these kingdoms on data analysis, focusing on areas with high incidence rates, low reporting of cases, and regions that had not previously been engaged throughout the year.

“To mark this year’s international day, the agency is partnering with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption programme with support from the European Union and implemented by the International IDEA to engage 16 Traditional Rulers in the state to assist in the advocacy.

“We are also using these events to spotlight 16 traditional rulers in the state for their support in the fight against SGBV,” she said.

The Oniwaya of Iwaya Kingdom, Oba Suleiman Owolabi Oloko, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration and other sponsors for making his kingdom the starting point of the 16-day campaigns.