Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has taken its fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to riverine communities as a way of eradicating the menace in the state.

Consequently, DSVA in collaboration with Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has commenced an awareness campaign for those in the riverine areas, including residents of Lagos State that make use of jetties as a means of transportation. The awareness campaign, which kicked off with a walk against domestic and sexual violence on Monday, saw officials of DSVA and LASWA walk from Military Hospital, Lagos to Falomo sensitising the public on the dangers of SGBV. Speaking during the walk, Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, restated the state government’s zero-tolerance of all forms of domestic and sexual violence.

While thanking LASWA for its collaboration with the agency in its fight against SGBV, she also urged residents of Lagos State to see themselves as Mandated Reporters who have a duty to say and do something when they see something. “There will also be ongoing sensitisation exercises, which will involve engaging members of the respective communities. “DSVA has continued to call on anyone experiencing any form of abuse to speak up and call its toll free line;08000-333-333,” she added.

On his part, LASWA’s General Manager, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, appealed to all participants to spread the message across and become ambassadors against domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State. Emmanuel emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration, explaining that a large number of Lagos residents make use of LASWA jetties and terminals daily, hence the reason for the joint sensitisation between the two agencies. In furtherance of the awareness campaign, fliers, posters and other informative materials would be placed at all the ferry terminals including, Apapa ( Liverpool terminal), Ikorodu Baiyeku Ikorodu, Badore – Tarzan terminal Ebutte Erro, Ijegun, Ebutte Ojo and Falomo- 5 cowries.