Lagos State Government has expressed concerns over the rising domestic violence cases, pointing out that a total of 6,753 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases were officially documented within one year, comprising 6,213 females and 540 males victims.

Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, made the disclosure yesterday, during the Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the three year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

She added that 2,460 survivors received justice-related support, while 3,099 victims benefited from recovery and care services.

Additionally, 273 survivors were supported with livelihood assistance, aimed at helping them rebuild their lives after abuse.

She noted that efforts to curb violence included the implementation of 75,037 preventive actions, indicating a strong push toward awareness and intervention.

She however, noted only 116 offenders were prosecuted during the period, including one female. The commissioner added that reports received through contact centres stood at 340 cases, with women again accounting for the majority.

The commissioner further said that the administration of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has empowered no fewer than 18,000 women across the state through various initiatives targeted towards lifting them out of poverty and easing their responsibility in the society.

She said that just within the last one year, 5,310 students have graduated from the 19 Skills Acquisition Centres, spread across the five (5) IBILE divisions of the State, adding that through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), 70% of beneficiaries who are graduates have been empowered with equipment, ensuring that the skills acquired translates into real businesses, financial independence, and sustainable livelihoods.

She noted that Lagos State has strengthened its support for vulnerable young mothers by providing care and empowerment opportunities for underage pregnant girls, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in partnership with the Ministry of Health’ Adolescent Health Division, where 15 underage pregnant teenage girls have been admitted into six of its skills acquisition centres namely, Egbeda, Egan, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu I, Ejigbo, Surulere to adequately cater for them and facilitate their re-integration into the society after childbirth.

She added that through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) 5,339 beneficiaries have been given tools and equipment to grow businesses turning dreams into livelihoods, and livelihoods into engines of Lagos’ economic growth.

She said: “Women, young adults and men have been beneficiaries of this programme and are drawn from accross the five IBILE divisions of the state. Selected students from WAPA skills
acquisition centres are also part of the beneficiaries.”

Dada also highlighted the ministry’s commitment to empowering women through agriculture, stating that the Avia Farm in Badagry serves as a hub for skills development and agribusiness training. According to her, both men and women are allocated temporary demostration plots and trained in cassava cultivation, garri processing, tapioca, fufu
production, vegetable farming, palm oil production, and fish farming.

She noted that within the last year, 1,485 women benefited from the initiative, contributing to food security,creating jobs and strengthening resilience within the State.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry, within the last one year, has implemented a Digital Marketing and E Commerce Training Programme targeted at Artisans, Market Women and Men as well as young adults across Lagos State, where 600 beneficiaries received Android phones to enable them commence or strengthen their digital business activities immediately after the programmme.

Under the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), the commissioner disclosed that 1,500 participants from Agbowa, Agbado, Ibeju-Lekki and Lagos Island have benefitted from the short-term, four week trainings, people with disabilities, also participated.

She also noted that over 1000 widows have been supported with cash grants and empowerment materials in the last one year, restoring dignity, hope and financial independence.

On the ministry’s intervention on Menstrual Hygiene Day, the commissioner noted that over 7,000 Sanitary Towels have been distributed to vulnerable women, school girls, and young women across the
State.

“Beyond the distribution exercise, sensitisation sessions were organized to break the silence around menstruation, reduce stigma, and encourage girls to remain confidently in school during their menstrual
cycle,” she said.