The Lagos State Government has solicited for the support of all in the fight against the violent behavior of men with regards to Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while receiving participants at the all-male walk against sexual & gender based violence commemorating the Domestic and Sexual Violence Month, said countless reports and research have indicated clearly that women are significantly more prone to being victims of these crimes; hence the State has decided to use men as flag bearers in the fight against the menace.
In his words, “The scale of men’s violence against women is enormous and its effect, demoralizing. Men as grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and public advocates have a pivotal role to play in condemning all forms of violence against women and girls.”
The Governor added that the way forward is to continuously engage the menfolk as well as the community as a whole, warning that the State would no longer condone or tolerate pedophiles, women beaters and rapists.
He emphasised that “we must address the violent behavior of men when it comes to Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse” and challenged the menfolk to join hands and speak against these crimes by remaining good ambassadors and flag bearers in the fight against domestic and sexual based crimes to make Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
Ambode said that the State Government has provided several programs ranging from the provision of legal aid, shelter and psychological counseling services designed to assist these women.
He promised that the State will continue to ensure the rights and welfare of the most vulnerable in our community are adequately protected and safeguarded, and commended all participants of the First Ever All Male Walk against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Lagos State.
Earlier, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, while flagging-off the walk, urged members of the public to ensure crimes are reported as perpetrators of these acts would not go unpunished.
The Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Social Development, Hon. Richard Kasunmu said one of the aims of the all male walk organised by the DSVRT is to change the narrative by purposefully engaging men who statistics show are most often perpetrators of these heinous crimes and empower menfolk to become agents of positive change in the society.
Other events lined up for the month include one-day symposium on the role of men in ending sexual and gender based violence scheduled for Thursday, 15th September at Muson Center, Onikan; an event for children on Monday, 26th September and a commendation night to be hosted by the State Governor on Friday, 30th September, 2016.
