NGO takes campaign against domestic violence to Lagos slum

ASHA Empowerment and Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has embarked on an outreach to sensitise Lagos residents on domestic violence.

Observing that the rate of awareness has been low since Lagos state passed the law prohibiting domestic violence in 2007, ASHA Initiative participated in a week of action organised by the Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LSGAT) to publicise the law.

The outreach, which held on Saturday, October 18, took the form of an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign in Ajegunle, an urban slum in Lagos.

At least 1000 members of Ajegunle community were reached with informative fliers while informative stickers were placed on 1000 houses and cars.

In addition to reaching over 5000 people with campaign message spoken over a public address system at markets, bus stops and busy areas, the group distributed 200 printed copies of the directory of organisations providing support services for victims of domestic/gender based violence, rape, economic exploitation, battery and related forms of violence.

Present at the event were Titilope Akosa, state coordinator, Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team; Samson Afolafun, secretary to the Ajegunle community; Ehijie Edoro, director of operations & media relations, Afrodisiacbay; and Vweta Chadwick, global programme director, ASHA Initiative.

Chadwick lamented the “very low awareness level of domestic violence in Ajegunle”, observing almost all residents who participated in the outreach were not aware of the domestic violence law.

“Most of them are also totally unaware of organisations providing support to rape victims and victims of domestic violence,” she said.

“ASHA Initiative will consequently hold monthly campaigns to educate members of the Ajegunle community on vices that are rife in the community.”

The organisation also aims to publicise the telephone numbers, names and addresses of organisations providing intervention services for victims of domestic violence.

Similar outreaches were held in more than 20 local governments across Lagos state with further awareness generated through social media, print media, television and radio stations.