Human Rights of Women
The Lagos State government has through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, (DSVA) opened the Eko Haven, a 30-bed shelter for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, in a press statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday said the move is part of the state government's commitment to ensuring holistic support is provided for survivors of SGBV.
She said: "Opening the shelter was the state government's prompt response to the burgeoning demand to ensure the preservation of life, safety, stability, empowerment and subsequently the reintegration of survivors back into the society".
According to Ms. Vivour- Adeniyi, the establishment of the shelter is in keeping with the DSVA's statutory mandate of establishing shelters across the state.
"With this intervention, it is our hope that survivors in abusive relationships would find the courage to break the culture of silence, speak up, and speak out with the assurance that help is just a call away," she said.
Other services to help survivors address their trauma are empowerment activities, personal and legal advocacy, and in-house psychosocial support, she said. She added that the shelter is confidential, with on-site security precautions and a gated entry.
Lagos State experienced 4800 domestic violence cases in the state between September 2021 and June 2022. There have been 18,123 GBV cases in Nigeria as of June 25 from 2019 according to Report GBV, a database compiled by the Ministry of Women Affairs. The agency can be reached at 08000 333 333 or at an office located at Nobel House, Plot A, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Alausa.