The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with Honorable Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ifako-Ijaiye, on Monday hosted a town hall meeting on Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TFSGBV) as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The event, themed "Let's Unite to End TFSGBV" drew over 400 enthusiastic youths from Ifako-Ijaiye, underscoring the urgency of addressing digital violence in our communities.
The engagement began with an opening prayer led by the Iyaloja General of Ifako-Ijaiye, Mrs. Doyin Coker-Ogunbiyi, setting a reflective tone for the day. In his opening remarks, Honourable Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON highlighted the often-overlooked reality of SGBV affecting men and stressed that the burden of violence disproportionately falls on women. He urged stakeholders to listen intently and equip themselves with the knowledge to combat TFSGBV, calling for collective action.
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of Lagos DSVA, took the stage to outline the agency’s mandate and shed light on the growing concerns of TFSGBV. She detailed the various forms of SGBV, including cyberstalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online harassment, and sextortion, and also emphasizing the free and holistic support services available to survivors through the Lagos State Government.
A dynamic panel session followed, moderated by Mr. Damilare Adewusi, Head of the Community Engagement Unit, Lagos DSVA. The panel, themed "Who’s in Charge? Shared Responsibility in Curbing TFSGBV - Roles of Government, Platforms, and Users," featured Honourable Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, Ms Anedo Deborah (Head, VRRS), Ifako-Ijaiye Youth Leader, and Mr. Cosmas Maduekwe (Psychosocial Support Expert). Key discussions centered on Government Policies & Accountability, Platform Responsibility, Youth Engagement, and Psychosocial Support.
Ms. Oluwabunmi Amosu of DSVA’s Community Engagement Unit led an interactive session, walking participants through practical safety measures - adjusting privacy settings, securing passwords, spotting red flags - and the importance of consent in digital interactions. Real-life examples brought home the speed and severity of online threats, leaving the audience more aware and motivated.
Participants, including prominent stakeholders like the Women Leader and Youth Leader of Ifako-Ijaiye, praised the event for tackling a critical issue. They pledged to champion safer digital practices and promote respect in their communities. The session closed with a Q&A, group photos, and a resounding call to unite against TFSGBV.
This event was a reminder that curbing TFSGBV requires shared responsibility - from governments and platforms to individuals - and that empowered youth can drive change. As the 16 Days of Activism continue, the commitment to a safer digital world remains stronger than ever.
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