By Gboyega Alaka
Ninety-three per cent of sexual violence perpetrators are known to the victims under the age of 18. These perpetrators may be older siblings, playmates, family members, teachers, coaches, instructors, caretakers or parent of another child, taking advantage, usually of a child’s vulnerability, to manipulate, coerce and intimidate them into silence. Usually, these are people in position of trust, or authority.
The above were part of the submissions of Itoro Eze-Anaba, founder, Mirabel Centre, at a 2-day workshop on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative organised by Project Alert in Lagos, mid-week.
“Spotlight Initiative,” according to Executive Director, Project Alert, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, “is a project of the European Union and the United Nations new global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.”
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Key speakers, which included Effah-Chukwuma herself, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and Itoro Eze-Anaba, focused attention on the various forms of violence perpetrated against women, girls (and not excluding boys), bringing them to spotlight in a bid to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with the 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In Nigeria, the UNDP, UN Women, UNESCO, UNICEF, working with the European Union in Nigeria are engaging government and civil society partners on the initiative in selected states across the country, including Lagos.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently launched the HeforShe aspect of the project in the state.
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