In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs), the Lagos State government has engaged nearly one hundred individuals in a comprehensive training session focused on managing and addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This one-day sensitization program, conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) and the Centre for Women’s Health and Information in Nigeria (CEWHIN), marks a significant step towards creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all residents of the state.
The training sessions were designed to highlight the unique challenges faced by PWDs and to foster a community where every individual can live free from violence and discrimination. Speaking at the event, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), emphasized the urgent need to address issues that disproportionately affect PWDs—a demographic that often encounters multiple layers of discrimination and exclusion.
Vivour-Adeniyi stated, “Lagos State has been at the forefront of ensuring the protection of the marginalized in our society. The robust sessions at this event will enhance our prevention and remedial intervention efforts, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have access to justice, support, and protection from violence.”
Highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by PWDs, she explained, “Individuals with disabilities are particularly susceptible to sexual and gender-based violence due to various factors, including physical and cognitive limitations, lack of awareness, and limited access to support services.” The engagement provided a unique opportunity for participants to come together, share their experiences, and discuss strategies to combat these challenges effectively.
In her goodwill message, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of LASODA, reiterated the importance of the program in creating safer environments for PWDs. “This initiative not only raises awareness but also promotes crucial dialogue about the legal protections available to persons with disabilities,” she remarked. Represented by Mrs. Foluso Adeolu, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Orientation at LASODA, Oyetunde-Lawal emphasized that by educating participants about their rights and the mechanisms in place to protect them, the state empowers PWDs to advocate for themselves and seek the justice they deserve.
The initiative was further supported by Mrs. Atinuke Odukoya, team lead of CEWHIN, who praised the program’s goal of equipping PWDs with essential information and knowledge on preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence. “Creating a world where everyone is safe and free from all forms of gender-based violence is a collective responsibility,” she asserted. Odukoya noted that the program would provide participants with resources, information, support, and inspiration to tackle issues of SGBV within the disability community.
One of the facilitators, Stella Osho of CEWHIN, conducted an informative session that guided participants through an understanding of domestic and sexual violence, its implications for persons with disabilities, and the importance of recognizing and reporting such incidents.
The event served as a vital step in promoting awareness and dialogue around SGBV issues affecting PWDs in Lagos State. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, advocacy organizations, and the disability community, the Lagos State government is paving the way for a more inclusive society, committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all its citizens. Through such initiatives, the government aims to ensure that PWDs are not only heard but also empowered to stand against violence and discrimination in their lives.
