The Lagos State Government has started a new group to help stop gender based violence. This special team is called the Community Dialogue Committee. The group will work in neighborhoods across Lagos to keep people safe.
What is Gender Based Violence?
Gender based violence means hurting someone because of their gender. This can happen to women, men, girls, and boys. The Lagos government aims to eradicate this unacceptable behavior in all communities.
A New Committee to Help Communities
On Monday, a woman named Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi spoke about the new team. She works for an agency called DSVA. This agency helps people who face violence at home or in their community.
Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi said this new committee is very important. It will help communities work together to stop gender based violence. The team will teach people how to spot problems early. They will also help people who have been hurt.
How the Committee Fights Gender Based Violence
The Community Dialogue Committee has important jobs to do. The committee members will find cases of gender based violence in their neighborhoods. When they find someone who needs help, they will send that person to the right place for support.
Ms Adetoun Odumbo, who works with communities, spoke for Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi. She explained that the committee will make sure every community has people who can help. This means if someone faces gender based violence, they can get help quickly.
The goal is to build strong support systems in every neighborhood. When communities work together, they can stop gender based violence more easily.
Who is On the Committee?
About 50 people came to the first meeting. These people came from two areas in Lagos: Mushin Local Government Area and Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area.
The committee has many different types of community members. Traditional rulers are part of the team. Religious leaders joined too. There are also leaders from women’s groups and youth groups.
Some people on the committee have survived gender based violence themselves. They can share their stories to help others. Teachers and health workers are also on the team. Local government workers who focus on gender issues joined as well.
Having many different people on the committee is important. Each person brings special knowledge about their community. Together, they can fight gender based violence in many ways.
What Will Committee Members Do?
Mr Damilare Adewusi works at DSVA too. He told the committee members about their jobs. Committee members will talk to people in their communities about violence. They will teach people what it is and how to prevent it.
When someone needs help right away, committee members will provide support. They will keep all information private and safe. This helps people feel comfortable asking for help.
Committee members will also look for signs of violence in their neighborhoods. If they see someone who might be in danger, they will help that person get support from experts.
Another important job is keeping records. Committee members will write down information about cases of gender based violence. But they will keep all names and details secret to protect people.
Connecting Communities and Government
The committee members will work as a bridge. They connect their communities to the DSVA agency. This means when someone faces gender based violence, help can come quickly.
If a case needs special attention, committee members know who to call. They will make sure the government agencies know about problems in different neighborhoods. This helps everyone work together to stop gender based violence.
Why This Committee Matters
Gender based violence is a big problem in many communities. When people work together, they can make their neighborhoods safer. The Community Dialogue Committee gives people the tools they need to help their neighbors.
By having committee members in every community, more people can get help. No one should face gender based violence alone. With this new team, Lagos is taking a big step to protect everyone.
Communities are strongest when everyone helps each other. This committee shows that Lagos cares about stopping gender based violence everywhere in the state.
Final Thoughts on Gender Based Violence Prevention
The new Community Dialogue Committee is an important tool in the fight against gender based violence. By working at the grassroots level, this team can reach people who need help the most. Gender violence affects many families, but with community support, healing and prevention are possible. Lagos State is showing leadership by creating systems that put communities at the center of stopping violence. When neighbors help neighbors, everyone becomes safer and stronger.
Conclusion
The Community Dialogue Committee represents hope for many people affected by gender based violence in Lagos. To learn more about gender issues and support survivors, visit genderpedia.ng/shop for helpful resources and information.
