The Lagos State Government on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls as it joined the EME Foundation in a symbolic advocacy walk in Alausa, Ikeja, to raise awareness on gender-based violence and promote behavioural change across communities.
The awareness march formed part of activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. It aligns with the state’s ongoing reforms through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Law, which provide a legal and institutional framework to protect survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen coordinated responses.
Participants, led by the Executive Director of the EME Foundation, Mrs. Eniola Edun-Ogundana, embarked on the walk from the Ikeja City Mall through the Lagos State House of Assembly before concluding at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Alausa. Along the route, they held up advocacy placards and engaged passersby in discussions designed to deepen public understanding of emerging forms of abuse.
Edun-Ogundana commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for instituting robust mechanisms to support survivors and curb gender-based violence, particularly in the digital space. She said this year’s campaign theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence,” reflects the urgency to confront new patterns of abuse.
“We are doing this advocacy to amplify awareness against digital violence, online bullying, cyberstalking, digital embarrassment and technology-facilitated abuse targeted at women and children, while promoting behavioural change to protect the female gender,” she stated.
She noted that the walk reinforces the need for strengthened partnerships between the state government, civil society groups, and community stakeholders in order to build a safer environment for women and girls both online and offline.
The Lagos State Government, through the DSVA, reiterated its commitment to sustaining public awareness campaigns, maintaining the sexual offenders’ register, and improving the responsiveness of law enforcement agencies and the justice system. It added that collaborative efforts such as the advocacy walk remain crucial to achieving a more protective and inclusive society for all women and girls.
