Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for a stronger focus on preventing gender-based violence (GBV), saying the goal should be to reduce the number of people who experience violence rather than only improving responses after cases are reported.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, spoke at the National Convening of Gender-Based Violence State Coordinators in Lagos, where the state launched its Gender-Based Violence Prevention Policy.
The governor said the policy moves Lagos from a largely reactive approach towards addressing the attitudes, behaviours and social conditions that contribute to violence. He said prevention should include educating children on dignity, respect, boundaries and responsibility, while empowering families, schools and communities to identify warning signs early.
The policy covers four areas: education and awareness, legal and institutional safeguards, survivor-centred services, and strengthening the capacity of first responders.
According to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, it handled 33,009 cases between September 2021 and July 2026, including domestic violence, rape, child abuse, defilement and sexual harassment.
More than 10,600 children were also affected by domestic violence during the period.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said the policy would help the state address factors that enable violence before cases occur, including harmful social norms and behaviours.
The Lagos Government said implementation would be coordinated by a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group anchored by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, with quarterly reviews, public reporting and localised data used to track progress.
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