The Lagos State Government on Thursday said there was the need for synergy between government and non-governmental organisations to strengthen the fight against domestic violence.
The Director, Directorate of Citizens’ Right, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Abiola Oseni, stated this in Ikeja during one-day round-table meeting between the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team and some NGOs in the state.
The event was in partnership with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.
The director, who noted that there was an increase in domestic violence cases, added that collaborating with other groups would help to reverse the trend across the state.
Oseni said, “We take cognizance of the fact that non-governmental organisations serve as the first point of call of most survivors. We are not oblivious of the role that NGOs and civil society organisations play in addressing domestic violence. This forum is timely because it is our desire that after this meeting, there will be an improvement in the synergy between NGOs and the DSVRT.”
The state Project Coordinator of British Council RoLAC programme, Ajibola Ijimakinwa, said the programme was aimed at providing access to justice for women, children and people with disabilities.
“The European Union is supporting RoLAC in this initiative and the global objective is to enhance good governance in Nigeria by contributing to strengthening the rule of law and curbing corruption.
“In June 2018, an assessment was carried out to examine the implementation of domestic violence law in Nigeria and one of the key findings is that we needed to have more collaboration and a platform to meet on a regular basis to share information.”
The Coordinator, DSVRT, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the parley would provide the opportunity to share success, ideas, and challenges to foster the relationship between the NGOs and the DSVRT.