Hundreds walk against domestic, sexual violence in Lagos

Hundreds of journalists and gender-based activists on Monday staged a walk against domestic and sexual violence in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The walk, which began at the Ikeja Local Government, through Awolowo Road in Ikeja terminated at the Lagos State Government Secretariat. All through the walk, thousands of leaflets were distributed to sensitise Lagos residents on the need to desist from engaging in domestic and sexual violence.

The walkers were armed with placards, some of which read: “Women are no objects, respect and treat them rightly,” “Rape is not a joke, don’t do it,” “Don’t hit your woman, be a real man,” “There is no excuse, stop victim blaming” and “Say no to domestic and sexual violence.”

The walk was organized by the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents, LAGOCO in conjunction with The Counselling Ambassador Organisation, TCAO, as part of LAGOCO’s Press Week.

Speaking after the walk, President, TCAO, Regina Obasa said women were not objects to be violated by their men folk, while denouncing all forms of sexual and domestic violence against women.

She said sexual and domestic abuse would certainly bring physical and psychological trauma to the victims, vowing that her organisation would fight domestic violence to a standstill.

Obasa stated that TCAO had been engaging in aggressive advocacy to sensitise the public against domestic and sexual violence and urged victims to report their cases to the Lagos State Government and the police for prompt action.

“People facing domestic and sexual violence should not just allow emotion to override them, they should report the matter. They should not allow their siblings or family members stop them from reporting their problems to the appropriate authorities,” she advised.

General Manager, Lagos Television, Deji Balogun said violence against women should be abhorred by all as such act would not promote peace.

Head of News, Lagos Traffic Radio, Babatunde Akinyemi condemned acts of domestic and sexual violence against women, calling on men who abused their spouses to desist from the debilitating behaviour.

-Kazeem Ugbodaga