First in Africa: Lagos unveils GBV prevention policy to strengthen prevention, accountability

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LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has unveiled the Lagos State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Policy, with support from the Ford Foundation, to strengthen efforts to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and coordinate interventions across the state.

In a statement issued by the state government on Monday, the authorities said the policy provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the changing nature of SGBV in Lagos, including violence occurring in homes, workplaces, educational institutions and digital spaces through Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TF-SGBV).

The policy operationalises the Lagos Declaration of Zero Tolerance for All Forms of SGBV and represents a shift from a largely response-centred approach towards a stronger institutionalised prevention strategy focused on addressing root causes, harmful social norms, protection and accountability.

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Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the policy provides a structured framework for making prevention a sustained and collective responsibility.

“We cannot continue to focus only on what happens after violence occurs. Prevention requires us to identify the factors that enable violence, challenge harmful social norms and strengthen the systems that protect people before harm occurs,” she said.

“ This policy gives us a clear framework to coordinate these efforts across sectors and communities.”

The policy is built around four interconnected pillars: Primary Prevention through Education and Awareness; Secondary Prevention through Strengthened Legal and Policy Frameworks; Tertiary Prevention through Survivor-Centred Services; and Quaternary Prevention through Capacity Building of First Responders.

The Primary Prevention pillar focuses on education, awareness and social norm transformation, including the promotion of consent, bodily autonomy and digital safety.

The Secondary Prevention pillar strengthens legal and institutional mechanisms for early intervention and accountability, including streamlined Standard Operating Procedures for law enforcement and the use of the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register.

The Tertiary Prevention pillar promotes survivor-centred services, prioritising survivors’ rights, choices, dignity and privacy, while improving access to medical, legal, psychosocial and economic support.

The fourth pillar focuses on strengthening the capacity of first responders and service providers to prevent and respond effectively to SGBV.

Implementation of the policy will be overseen by a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group anchored by the DSVA, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies and civil society partners.

The framework also provides for localised data indicators, heat mapping, quarterly reviews and public reporting to monitor progress and ensure interventions remain responsive and accountable.