The Lagos State Government has unveiled its Sexual, Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention Policy to strengthen coordinated efforts to prevent violence across the state.
The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the policy provides a prevention-centred framework focused on addressing the root causes of SGBV and harmful social norms.
She said it would strengthen systems, harmonise interventions across sectors and provide accountability mechanisms, while ensuring survivors have access to dignity, confidentiality, psychosocial support, legal aid and economic rehabilitation.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the state could not rely solely on prosecuting perpetrators to tackle SGBV.
She said the policy was built around four pillars: primary prevention through education and awareness; secondary prevention through stronger legal and institutional frameworks; tertiary prevention through survivor-centred services; and quaternary prevention through capacity building for first responders.
The policy addresses SGBV in homes, workplaces, schools and digital spaces, including technology-facilitated abuse such as cyberbullying, doxing, sextortion and online sexual harassment.
Implementation will be overseen by a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group anchored by DSVA, with localised data indicators, heat mapping, quarterly reviews and public reporting to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
