Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has reiterated its efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence through behavioural mindset programmes, sensitising and training of all relevant stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stated this during the awareness programme organised by the Agency tagged: “Man Wey Sabi”, held at Tejuoso market, Yaba, adding that the objective of the advocacy was to address gender stereotypes in Lagos.
Vivour-Adeniyi said it is a collective responsibility to ensure that women are not held back in any way, be it socially, culturally or professionally, adding that the ultimate goal was to prevent domestic violence from happening in a home. She, therefore, called on civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders as well as residents to relentlessly continue to clamour for gender equality and gender access in all spheres of life.
Her words, “What we are doing today is to put the spotlight on the men, we are not looking at them from the lens of abusers but we are trying to conscript them in our army, working against domestic and sexual violence. The truth of the matter is we’ve had women who have lost their lives simply because they did not cook or did not provide the food at the time their spouse expected it of them. Ultimately what we are trying to encourage here is a partnership in 
marriages”,
“This is just a medium for passing out our message and not from a judgemental position but in a fun environment to let them know that the fact a man cooking does not make you less a man neither does it make you less a man if you have interest in the welfare of your children because marriage is truly partnership and it also requires mutual submission”, Vivour-Adeniyi explained.
Head of Audit, DSVA and Chairman for the “Man Wey Sabi” Planning Committee, Oladimeji Babajide said changing gender stereotypes was key in the attainment of an SGBV-free society. He stressed that couples should see themselves as partners as this would pave the way for peace in homes.
Babajide said the event was an opportunity to reach the community by distributing fliers and educating them on the devastating effects of SGBV.
Also, Iyaloja of Tejuosho Market, Naheemat Majek-Fadimiluyi, emphasised the need to close the gender gaps by creating an environment that allows every woman to have equal opportunity for growth and development.
Majek-Fadimiluyi said the programme would help to enlighten the people, especially traders in the market to train their families and relate better with their neighbours.
