The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy, described as the first of its kind in Nigeria, with support from the Ford Foundation.
The policy strengthens the state’s commitment to preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and provides a comprehensive framework for coordinated interventions across homes, workplaces, educational institutions and digital spaces, including Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TF-SGBV).
The policy operationalises the Lagos Declaration of Zero Tolerance for all forms of SGBV and represents a shift from a largely response-based approach to a stronger institutionalised prevention strategy. It focuses on addressing the root causes of violence, harmful social norms, protection and accountability.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the policy would make prevention a sustained and collective responsibility. She stressed the need to identify factors that enable violence, challenge harmful social norms and strengthen systems that protect people before violence occurs.
The policy is structured around four interconnected pillars: Primary Prevention through Education and Awareness; Secondary Prevention through Strengthened Legal and Policy Frameworks; Tertiary Prevention through Survivor-Centred Services; and Quaternary Prevention through Capacity Building of First Responders.
Primary prevention focuses on education, awareness, social norm transformation, consent, bodily autonomy and digital safety. Secondary prevention strengthens legal and institutional mechanisms for early intervention and accountability, including streamlined Standard Operating Procedures for law enforcement and the use of the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register.
Tertiary prevention prioritises survivor-centred services, protecting survivors’ rights, choices, dignity and privacy while improving access to medical, legal, psychosocial and economic support. The fourth pillar focuses on improving the capacity of first responders and service providers to prevent and effectively respond to SGBV.
Implementation will be coordinated by a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group anchored by the DSVA, working with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as civil society partners.
The framework also provides for localised data indicators, heat mapping, quarterly reviews and public reporting to track progress and ensure interventions remain responsive and accountable.
The Lagos State Government appreciated the Ford Foundation for supporting the development and launch of the policy, noting that strategic partnerships are essential to advancing sustainable approaches to preventing Gender-Based Violence across the state.