The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has launched the Smart Teens Advocacy Initiative (STAI) in Education District I to equip adolescents with the knowledge and confidence to recognise, prevent and report sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
The initiative was launched on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Girls Senior High School, Agege, with 320 students from schools across the district participating in the programme themed “Stay Safe, Speak Up.”
The initiative seeks to promote personal safety, healthy boundaries, peer advocacy and the importance of speaking out against abuse, while encouraging young people to protect themselves and support others facing unsafe situations.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasised the need to empower adolescents to recognise abusive behaviour, challenge harmful attitudes and promote respect among their peers.
She noted that the programme was designed to encourage students to report abuse without fear of blame or intimidation, stressing that parents, teachers, caregivers and relevant institutions had a responsibility to ensure that children were heard, supported and protected.
Vivour-Adeniyi also called for collective action to create an environment where young people could discuss their concerns freely and seek assistance when faced with abuse or threats to their safety.
In her goodwill message, the Head of the Counselling Unit in Education District I, Dr. Olubukola Rosanwo, commended the agency for introducing the initiative and urged students to participate actively and apply the lessons to their daily lives.
Rosanwo stressed the importance of providing safe school environments where students could confidently seek guidance, report concerns and access appropriate support.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Stay Safe and Speak Up,” the State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, Mrs. Aderonke Oyelakin, educated the students on identifying unsafe situations, establishing personal boundaries, making informed decisions and protecting themselves online.
She encouraged the participants to speak up when confronted with abuse and report incidents to trusted adults and appropriate authorities to ensure timely intervention and protection.
The launch of the Smart Teens Advocacy Initiative booklet in Education District I also highlighted the need to move beyond awareness campaigns towards practical action by ensuring that adolescents understand their rights, know where to seek help and feel confident reporting abuse.
Through the initiative, DSVA is strengthening its public enlightenment and child protection efforts, with a focus on preventing sexual and gender-based violence and promoting safer environments for children and young people across Lagos State.
