DSVA and Ford Foundation Conduct Door-to-Door SGBV Sensitization Campaign in Mushin, Lagos State

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in strategic partnership with the Ford Foundation, successfully conducted a comprehensive door-to-door sensitization campaign on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Itire Government Area, Mushin, Lagos State on 15th May, 2025.

This proactive initiative aimed to directly engage community members, deepen public understanding of SGBV, emphasize the importance of reporting incidents, and promote a collective stance of zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

The sensitization campaign strategically targeted a broad spectrum of the Itire community, reaching individuals and groups across various sectors through focused engagement efforts which included,

Places of Worship where Engagements were held at key religious centers such as:

The Living Gospel of Christ Church
13 Onitire Street, Itire Lagos.

Ike Oluwa mosque
Onitire road Itire.

Similarly Anjola Oluwa Central Mosque Onitire road.

Also Educational Institutions like
Eleja Primary School
Itire were engaged.

Healthcare Facility such as General Hospital Mushin
Maternal and Child Centre Itire Road, Pako Eleja Mushin

The Police Family Support Unit:
Itire Family Support Unit was also visited.

Residential Areas amongst which were
Okuyemi Street.
Abeokuta Street.
Dosunmu Street.
Oremiren Street.
Akinwunmi Street.
also got turned on with the SGBV engagement.

Community Development Associations (CDAs)
Special sessions were held with chairmen and representatives from the following CDAs, Onitire CDA.
Odoeran 1 CDA.
Odoeran 2 CDA.
Okuyemi CDA.
Abeokuta – Alafin CDA.
Eleja CDA.
Omobola CDA.
Isiba -kabiyisi CDA.
Igbehin -Adun CDA.
Odofin CDA.

These stakeholders received in-depth briefings on SGBV issues, the importance of community vigilance, and the mechanisms available for reporting and addressing incidents.

A key highlight of the CDA engagement was the distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. In addition to disseminating these resources within their communities, CDA leaders pledged to memorize and promote DSVA’s toll-free reporting number: 08000-333-333.

The campaign recorded significant impact through the following outcomes:

Sensitization of Over 20,000 Community Members
Participants demonstrated increased awareness of SGBV, its implications, and the critical role of reporting to ensure accountability and support for survivors.

Strategic Distribution of IEC Materials
Educational resources tailored to local contexts reinforced key messaging and encouraged lasting behavioral change across diverse demographic groups.

Memorization of Toll-Free Reporting Number
A considerable number of participants successfully committed the DSVA’s toll-free number (08000-333-333) to memory, enabling more timely and confidential reporting of SGBV cases.

This door-to-door sensitization initiative in Itire Mushin highlights the DSVA’s steadfast and continuos commitment to grassroots engagement as a cornerstone for preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Lagos State. By mobilizing communities, equipping stakeholders, and strengthening local reporting networks, the DSVA—supported by the Ford Foundation—continues to build a safer, more informed, and resilient society where SGBV is neither tolerated nor ignored

Adejoke Ladenegan Oginni
Head Public Affairs Unit
LAGOS DSVA
16/5/2025.