By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Dec. 31, 2025
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has declared 2025 a landmark year of “impact and intentional action,” releasing a comprehensive overview of achievements that signal a maturing, multi-front approach to combating gender-based violence. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] The report, shared by Executive Secretary Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi on the agency’s official platform, moves beyond statistics to highlight a strategic shift towards systemic change, survivor-centric justice, and community-wide prevention.
Building Systemic Shields: Landmark Policy Launches
A core achievement was the strengthening of protective legal and institutional frameworks. The agency launched pioneering policies addressing two critical, modern facets of abuse:
- Workplace Sexual Harassment Policy: This provides clear guidelines for prevention, reporting, and investigation within Lagos workplaces, shifting the burden of proof and creating safer professional environments. It mandates employer accountability, a significant step in a region where such harassment has often been normalized.
- Policy on Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TF-SGBV): Recognizing the surge in online abuse, cyberstalking, and non-consensual image sharing, this policy is one of the first of its kind in Nigeria. It aims to equip law enforcement and the judiciary with protocols to investigate digital crimes and hold perpetrators accountable, offering crucial protection in the virtual space.
“These policies are not just documents; they are blueprints for accountability and shields for the vulnerable,” Vivour-Adeniyi stated. “They close gaps that predators have historically exploited.”
Grassroots Mobilization: Saturation Awareness and Youth Empowerment
Prevention efforts achieved unprecedented scale. The DSVA executed extensive campaigns across all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LGAs/LCDAs), ensuring no community was left behind. This hyper-local approach, involving town halls, market rallies, and collaborations with traditional leaders, was crucial for dismantling deep-seated cultural norms that enable violence.
Beyond awareness, the agency focused on building a legacy of advocacy. Through school-based programs and institutional trainings, they empowered over 600 young advocates. These youths are now equipped to educate peers, challenge harmful stereotypes, and serve as first-line supporters, creating a sustainable network of prevention within communities.
Justice Served: The Critical Role of Convictions
While prevention is paramount, the DSVA underscored that justice remains a non-negotiable pillar of deterrence. The agency announced the securing of multiple convictions in domestic and sexual violence cases. This is a critical metric, as low prosecution rates have long been a major barrier. Each conviction sends a powerful message that the state will pursue legal consequences, validating survivors’ experiences and challenging the culture of impunity.
A Coalition for Safety: Collaborative Foundation
Vivour-Adeniyi emphasized that none of these wins were achieved in isolation. The agency’s impact was fueled by strong collaboration with government ministries, the judiciary, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and community stakeholders. This ecosystem approach—from police officers receiving specialized training to community leaders acting as referral points—creates a cohesive safety net for survivors seeking help.
Sustaining Momentum: A Look Ahead
Reaffirming its commitment, the DSVA pledged to deepen its impact in the coming year. Focus areas will likely include strengthening the implementation of the new policies, scaling survivor support services like counseling and legal aid, and leveraging data to target interventions more effectively. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]]
“Our resolve is unwavering,” Vivour-Adeniyi concluded. “We remain focused on our core mandate: protecting lives, empowering survivors, and building a Lagos where everyone can live free from fear and violence. This report is not a finale, but a testament to the momentum we must all sustain.”
(Source: NAN News. Edited by Sandra Umeh)
