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Raising more awareness in our communities has been acknowledged as critical to the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This is why the Extended Hands Foundation with support from Ford Foundation took its activism to local schools and communities across Lagos State.
The benefitting communities include Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA and Shogunle LCDA while the school outreach took place at Greensprings Schools.
Nollywood screen diva and founder of Extended Hands Foundation, Ambassador Stephanie Linus, noted that awareness raising is key to spreading a clear message of zero tolerance for all forms of violence within our communities.
“With a rise in domestic violence cases around us, there is urgent need for engaging local communities to address the root causes of SGBV to bring effective behaviour and social norms change,” she emphasised.
As a director and UNFPA ambassador, Linus stressed the need to sensitise the younger population, educate them and enlighten them on the consequences of violence.
She added that, “people need to know what to do if they or someone they know are caught in this unfortunate situation.”
During the programme, the foundation appointed and trained advocates to follow up as watch guards within the communities.
These advocates would, henceforth, be responsible for spreading awareness and ensuring people get help when they need it.
To effectively educate the target audience, the foundation developed awareness-raising materials.
Some are a series of short films and brochures on SGBV. These experts from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice shared with participants the emergency number to call for HELP, 08000333333.
The Extended Hands Foundation restated its commitment to providing accessible information about SGBV, its varying forms, possible remedies, and existing support measures.
The NGO said its goal is to initiate relevant discussions about the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence and ensure people know how to prevent them.
