UN, AU, EU, Lagos govt restate commitment to end gender-based violence

The United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and Lagos State Government have restated the need to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage and other harmful practices.

Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilayo Vivour-Adeniyi, while speaking at the spotlight initiative in Africa second yearly review and learning workshop held in Lagos, yesterday, said Lagos State government knew the issues were germane.

She said: “A critical factor in winning the war against gender-based violence is political will. We are committed as a state to ensure full implementation of the spotlight initiative and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is changing the narrative.

“We know the role institutions play in ending gender-based violence. We understand the need for sustained advocacy and awareness. The need for data collection cannot be over-emphasied as data drives policy. We are fully committed towards implementation of the spotlight initiative.”

She, therefore, stressed the need for capacity-building, partnerships, collaboration and re-orientating the mindset of citizens.

On her part, Special Assistant to Resident Coordinator/Planning Specialist at the UN in Nigeria, Anu Varghese John, said GBV is deep-rooted. She expressed happiness with the enactment of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in 26 states, adding that there is a need to domesticate the Act and implement it.

She, however, called for more support from the government and civil society groups.