The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency ( DSVA) have engaged members of the Association of Professional Traditional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria (APTWECON) Lagos State, ALAGA IJOKO/IDURO on their role in preventing the menace of Domestic and Sexual Violence in the State under the theme “IDILE ALAYO”.
Executive Secretary DSVA Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi at the event held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium told newsmen that the Agency is embarking on sustainable and proactive programs in its unrelenting fight against the menace of SGBV and engaging APTWECON was one of them.
Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that statistics have shown that marriage contracted under customary law and traditional practices is one of the preferred forms of solemnization where the Alagas’ strategic and influential role while interfacing with intending couples and attending participants can not be undermined.
“Statistics from our Agency reveal that more than 80% of clients who reported matrimonial abuses had prior knowledge of the pre-existing abusive behavior of their partner but proceeded with the union for various reasons. 70% of these survivors submitted to customary law and marriage”.
” You will recall that we recently engaged the Association of Professional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria (APWECON) Lagos State, the Association of Professional Traditional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria (APTWECON) Lagos State, is the Sister Association hence , since we didn’t want to leave anyone or association behind it became expedient to also engage the APTWECON.
We intend to infuse advocacy around Domestic Violence into the existing traditional marriage ceremonies conducted by Alagas in Lagos, this would have far-reaching effects and the collaborative effort would be quite encouraging as we have also trained Marriage Registrars and other sectors of the society”
“This has birthed this program “Idile Alayo” which amongst other things keeps many abreast of the growing trend of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence issues in Lagos State.
“We use this medium to implore you to use your influence in the course of officiating traditional unions to advocate against Domestic Violence and preach the Zero tolerance message. Together we can salvage our State from this destructive menace” Vivour-Adeniyi said.
The APTWECON Governor, Mr. Kayode Omotosho (Sir K)in his goodwill message said the event was a welcome initiative to boost their roles as comperes as well as ensure a firm and strong foundation for a violence-free home.
While lauding the organizers, Omotosho stressed the need for further collaborative engagements with the Agency and partnership with the State Government as this would boost their effectiveness while discharging their role paving way for more established foundations for the homes and society at large.
He said the association had always taken it as a priority to address sexual and gender-based violence issues before, during, and after marriage for couples.
The President emphasized that the training would improved their knowledge of new techniques on how to reduce and restrain the menace of domestic violence in society
Facilitators, Mr. Taiwo Amusa an Alternative Dispute Resolution and Home Engineering Expert, Head Field Operations DSVA- Oluwakemi Bello, Head Case Management DSVA, Tumininu Oni took participants through the role of culture and tradition in preventing sexual and gender-based violence; SGBV, forms and consequences; and Introduction to Idile Alayo.
A revised program brochure used while conducting events put together by the DSVA for an all-inclusive officiating session, as well as the information cards to be given to couples, was given to the over 300 participants at the event.
AdeJoke Ladenegan-Oginni
Lagos DSVA
15/10/2023
