Lagos sensitises students on gender-based violence, inducts 200 into clubs

The Lagos State government, through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has inducted 200 students from Education District I into the Queens and Kings clubs after six weeks of orientation programmes.

Executive Secretary, DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, who spoke on the induction, represented by Head of Community Engagement, DSVA, Damilare Adewusi, said the initiative was aimed towards advocating and increasing knowledge of the boy and girl-child on positive femininity and masculinity.

According to her, the club was initiated to expose girls and boys to increased knowledge on gender, sexual-based violence and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), as well as myths and misconceptions about violence.

“We have sensitised the students for six weeks now, training them on how to control their anger, the laws that guide all issues in existence with the goal of preaching the same to their peers who are not in the club. The agency has inducted 200 students, 100 boys and 100 girls from 20 schools,” she said.

One of the facilitators, State Coordinator, of Child Protection Network, Aderonke Oyelakin, sensitised the students to grit, resilience and tenacity, urging them to strive for excellence and pursue their aims and goals, as well as see themselves as ambassadors in society.

Oyelakin, who commended the efforts of the agency in ensuring change in the society, said that such efforts would be geared towards tackling the menace of gender-based violence and preventing child domestic and sexual abuse in Lagos.

Acting Vice Principal, Administrative and Counsellor, Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege, Mr. Adesanya Taiwo, commended DSVA, noting that the skills have exposed the boys not to be gender biased or use their strength as boys to hunt the other gender or intimidate them.

Also, School Guidance Counsellor, Fagba Junior Grammar School, Ifako-Ijaiye, commended the Lagos State government for the initiative, noting that the majority of the students are going through so many traumas but couldn’t speak out as a result of fear but the programme has given them courage and strength to speak out when need be.

One of the Queens Club students, Adeboye Oreoluwa, commended DSVA, and said the orientation had made to become a voice for the voiceless and a good ambassador to promote gender-based violence.

Another student from the King’s Club, Olusanya Boluwatife, promised to be a good ambassador of the club.