Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi – Lagos State Ministry of Justice

TurnAlausaPurple Campaign Awareness

Posted on September 19, 2022

The State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) today continued its #TurnAlausaPurple campaign awareness to the Ministry of Justice as part of the agency’s activities to commemorate the month long awareness campaign themed “IT’S ON US”. The Attorney General and Chairman Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) commended the Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and her team for putting together the campaign all over the nooks and crannies of the State. Mr Onigbanjo stressed that the team “IT’S ON US” is apt based on the compelling need to ensure that residents of the State realize that eradicating the menace of Sexual and Gender based Violence is a collective effort from all and sundry and basically a collaboration of all members of the society .

LASG Reaffirms Commitment to the Girl-Child

Posted on June 30, 2022

In response to the increasing cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education have launched a timely intervention called the ‘Queens Club Initiative’. The initiative is to create a sustainable social structure in educational institutions, that will help debunk socio-cultural misconceptions, dismantle patriarchy, encourage gender equality, bring about behavioral as well as attitudinal change and ultimately raise empowered girls. At the induction ceremony of 310 girls into the Queens Club, which took place on 29th of June, 2022 at Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall, Bolade, Oshodi, the first Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commending the efforts of the DSVA in ensuring attitudinal change in the society while urging members of the newly inaugurated Queens Club to see themselves as ambassadors and change agents. She stated that by virtue of the knowledge they have received, they have become peer educators and would be able to affect the desire change for a better world. The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Sherifat Folashade Jaji who was ably represented by Mrs. Shonibare, Director, Office of the Secretary to the State Government urged the students to continue to strive for excellence and champion a world free of all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence. The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, noted that over the course of 6 weeks over 300 secondary school students, drawn from 31 schools in Education District 2 & 6 have been exposed to the Queens Club curriculum. At the end of the program, the girls were exposed to modules on Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health, Femininity, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Anger Management, Grit, Resilience & Tenacity and Transitioning from Girl to Woman. After taking the pledge of allegiance, the students were subsequently inducted into the club and awarded certificates as well as identity cards to validate their induction into the club. In a bid to show gratitude for their sacrifices, selfless service and for a job well done during the course of the six weeks training, the various mentors and facilitators were presented with plaques and certificates. The Queens Club initiative would be replicated across all Education Districts in Lagos State.

Lagos DSVA Commences Engagement of Schools In STRAC Initiative.

Posted on June 19, 2022

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has commenced engagement of Primary & Secondary School Students via its “Safeguarding the Rights of a Child”, STRAC initiative in its effort to curtail domestic and sexual abuse in the State on Friday, 17th of June, 2022 at the Education District 1, Agege. Speaking at the workshop, Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that the STRAC initiative is critical in view of the fact that children have a role to play in their own protection. She stated that STRAC is an interactive workshop to engage children in age appropriate language on their rights, responsibilities, body safety, child abuse, how to avoid being a victim of sexual abuse, self-defence tips, and how to preserve evidence if physically or sexually abused and ultimately, speaking out and reporting abuse. Vivour-Adeniyi noted that this prevention workshop is led by trained peer educators, who have experience in gender relations, socialization, dating violence and sexual violence prevention, which will go a long way in curbing incidents of Child Abuse in the State. Vivour-Adeniyi said the goal is to empower millions of children in order to ensure that they are able to prevent the occurrence of domestic and sexual abuse in Lagos State. Asides from verbally engaging students on their rights and responsibilities, the Executive Secretary added that there are provisions of STRAC textbooks prepared by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency to strengthen the reading culture of children, empower them and serve as a preventive tool against all forms of abuse. She expressed satisfaction on the success of the programme as students expressed delight that the programme has empowered them to speak up in any case or form of abuse. She noted that another workshop would be held for about 3500 students from at least 31 primary and secondary schools to enlighten them on Safeguarding the Rights of a child. The workshop had in attendance about 750 Secondary School Students drawn from Mulero Junior Grammar School, State High School Ajewole, Eko Senior College, Lagos Baptist Senior Secondary School and Lagos Baptist Senior College, Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School, Iloro Junior Grammar School, Agege Junior College, Iloro, Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Sango Senior Secondary School, Sango Junior Secondary School, District Junior College, Yewa Junior High School and Unity Junior High School.

Lagos inaugurates Kings Club to boost positive masculinity in male students

Posted on June 19, 2022

In furtherance of the KINGS CLUB initiative, the Lagos State Deputy Governor ,Dr Obafemi Hamzat ,has inaugurated the club created by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to re-orient and educate young male students in secondary schools around the six (6) education districts in Lagos State with the aim of debunking socio-cultural misconceptions, promote positive masculinity, and bring about positive behavioral changes. Speaking at the ceremony held at the Oregun Senior High Schoo Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos,the Deputy Governor of the State, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education,Mr Abayomi Abolaji commended the efforts made by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and all stakeholders in the campaign to stem the rising incidence of domestic and gender-based violence, particularly as it affects children, youths with innocent and impressionable minds. He added that “Our administration will continue to develop and implement strategies and initiatives that will protect and enhance the quality of all in Lagos State”. He urged the young students to speak up and report to the nearest authority in the case of acts of inappropriate behaviour, bullying or body shaming among others even as he assured of necessary support to victims, “Violence is not gender specific. It affects everybody, either in the classroom or the playground,” the deputy Governor stated. The Honourable Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) ably represented by Mr. Saheed Quadri (Director of the Directorate of Advisory Services,Ministry of Justice) stressed that the Kings Club project will engender a sustainable social structure in educational institutions that will help debunk sociocultural misconceptions and promote positive masculinity and bring about behavioral and attitudinal change in the minds of young boys in Lagos State. Onigbanjo further advised the participants to avoid being perpetrators of sexual and gender-based offences. He made reference to the data which indicates that, one in every eight boys would have suffered at least one violent interaction before the age of 18, and 61% of the affected boys do not know where to seek help. He added that boys who grow up having experienced abuse commit a vast majority of sexual and gender-based violence offences. While addressing the 161 inductees from the education districts, the Mrs. Titilola Vivour – Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of DSVA stated that the only method to confront this “shadow epidemic” of societal violence perpetrated primarily and mostly by male population is to “catch them young” by embarking on a timely intervention titled: ‘The Kings Club:Promoting Positive Masculinity’

Lagos enforces Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies in Schools

Posted on March 1, 2022

The Lagos State Government under the aegis of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the Office of Education Quality Assurance has commenced implementation of the State’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme in schools The one-day sensitization program, held on the Monday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa was aimed at educating principals, heads of schools and school administrators on the Safeguarding and Child Protection policy of the State Government The program was facilitated by erudite child protection experts which includes the Director-General , Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Mr.Taiwo Akinlami and Mrs. Modupeola Saheed Adebambo Delivering the welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency(DSVA),Mrs. Titilola Vivour Adeniyi underscored the fact that whilst most child abuse occur within families and communities, children also experience abuse and exploitation in organisations that provide them with support and services. She added that research has shown that physical, emotional abuse and neglect in child focused organisations and institutions are less systematic and usually unplanned, as it stems from poor conditions, bad work practices and negligent management. Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that it is mandatory for all child centred institutions to adopt and ensure full implementation of a Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. On her part,the Director-General ,Education Quality Assurance,Mrs. Abiola Seriki- Ayeni, highlighted the need for schools to recognize the role they play in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of children, especially as children spend a significant time of their day in school. The Director-General urged participants to take advantage of the free online course “Introduction of Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy” which over 10 000 educators have successfully completed, encouraging those who haven’t taken the course to do so. Mrs. Adebambo provided an overview of the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection programme, whilst emphasizing critical measures schools should take in ensuring the safety of their students, some of which includes,safer recruitment procedures, adopting a safeguarding policy, having a designated safeguarding officer and establishing reporting, recording and feedback mechanisms. Mr. Taiwo Akinlami gave an insight into what child’s rights entails,societal and cultural perceptions of children as well as norms and beliefs that encourage child abuse.The issue of corporal punishment was also discussed, even as participants were reminded of the State Government’s No-Caning policy. A total of 400 primary and secondary schools, drawn from both public and private schools in Education District 6 were in attendance .Participants were given the relevant tools required in ensuring they are able to effectively establish and implement Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in their institutions. The program is to be implemented in all education districts, thereby reiterating Mr. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Administration’s commitment in ensuring the safety and protection of all children in Schools.