Girls and women are inappropriately affected by all forms of violence, which include sexual assault and harassment, domestic, verbal, emotional, and gender-based violence in homes and society. Today, the WHO estimated that globally, about 1 in 3 (30%) of women have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner and non-partner violence in their lifetime. Community risk is increased by a lack of proper understanding of interventions for problems like SGBV.
Alimosho has the highest incidence of domestic violence, especially sexual and gender-based violence. According to the data made available by the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) received over 4,800 cases from September 2021 to July 2022, with Alimosho recording the highest number of cases for both adults and children. He added, “However, 50% of the reports were made after 10 years of the subsistence of the marriage.
Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), through her project titled “Improving Gender Equality and Protection from Sexual and Gender Based Violence for Women and Girls in Lagos State through capacity building, awareness-raising, and psychosocial support services,” with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), organized a three-day training program for 30 community advocates in Alimosho LGA.
The objectives of the training were to:
- To sensitize community members on the understanding of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls while addressing its causes, types, and prevalence.
- To identify and address barriers to reporting SGBV cases.
- To ensure community advocates acquire skills in reporting, referring, and managing SGBV cases.
- To understand technology’s role in facilitating SGBV and its community impact.
- To comprehend the Nigeria Police Force’s role in SGBV protection and legal frameworks in Lagos State
- To acquire skills in providing sensitive support and prioritizing survivor’s needs.
- To develop strategies to enhance community resilience against SGBV, engage in prevention efforts, and understand the advocate’s role in addressing and preventing SGBV.
Key topics discussed at the training included:
- Gender and SGBV
- Technology-facilitated SGBV and its implications for the community
- SGBV reporting mechanisms within the community.
- Overview of the legal framework for combating SGBV
- The vital role of the Nigeria Police Force in protecting against SGBV
- Provision of Psychological First Aid to survivors and understanding mental health.
- Strategies for building community resilience
The key accomplishments were:
- 30 community advocates in Alimosho LGA acquired knowledge and skills for community-level SGBV prevention, reporting, referral and managing of cases.
- Developed Action Plans for 30 community-level awareness sessions to reach about 1500 members of their respective constituencies.
- Strengthened networking and partnership building among community advocates and state actors working on SGBV intervention in Lagos State.
WRAHP is ready to continue its essential work, making Alimosho LGA a safer and more equitable place for all.
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