The Lagos State Government has unveiled the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening efforts to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the state.
The policy, developed with support from the Ford Foundation, provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the changing nature of gender-based violence and improving coordination among relevant institutions and stakeholders.
According to the state government, the new policy is designed to address SGBV in different environments, including homes, workplaces, educational institutions and digital spaces.
It also recognises the growing challenge of Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TF-SGBV), which involves the use of digital technologies to perpetrate or facilitate forms of sexual and gender-based abuse.
The government stated that the policy operationalises the Lagos Declaration of Zero Tolerance for All Forms of SGBV and strengthens the state’s institutional approach to tackling the problem.
It represents a shift from an approach largely focused on responding to cases after they occur towards a stronger prevention strategy aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.
The policy places emphasis on tackling harmful social norms and practices that contribute to SGBV, while strengthening protection mechanisms and promoting accountability.
The Lagos State Government said the framework would support more coordinated interventions among government agencies, civil society organisations, communities and other relevant stakeholders involved in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
It further noted that effective prevention requires sustained efforts to create safer environments and challenge behaviours and social attitudes that enable violence.
The policy is expected to guide interventions and programmes aimed at reducing the occurrence of SGBV while improving institutional mechanisms for prevention, protection and accountability.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive Lagos where residents can live, work, study and participate in society without fear of gender-based violence.
With the launch of the policy, Lagos is seeking to strengthen its long-term institutional response to SGBV and promote a coordinated prevention framework across the state.
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