Hamzat Advocates Raising Responsible Boys to Tackle Gender Based Violence

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has reaffirmed the Babajide Sanwo Olu administration’s commitment to strengthening social protection programmes and intensifying efforts to combat gender based violence through sustained investments, public enlightenment and strict enforcement of existing laws.

Hamzat made the pledge on Wednesday at the public presentation of Who Is She, a book advocating the protection of the girl child authored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship Candidate for the 2027 general election, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, at the Syrian Club Event Centre in Ikoyi.

The deputy governor disclosed that Lagos has developed a comprehensive social protection policy backed by a regularly updated register of vulnerable residents to ensure government support reaches those who need it most.

“Lagos has a state policy on social protection and a registry of people who need to be protected. It is updated regularly to cover children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. We will continue to improve the system to make it more inclusive and better organised,” he said.

According to Hamzat, the state’s social protection framework is being implemented through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, covering women, children, persons with disabilities, youth development, poverty alleviation, employment creation and domestic violence prevention.

Speaking on gender based violence, he stressed the need to ensure offenders are prosecuted and punished, adding that publicising convictions would discourage others from committing similar offences.

“We need to ensure that when people are found guilty, it is made obvious. People must know that gender based violence is wrong, criminal and will not be tolerated,” he said.

Hamzat also called for greater attention to the upbringing of boys, noting that protecting girls should be complemented by raising responsible young men.

“There must also be greater attention to the upbringing of boys just as attention is on girl child protection. Young men must be deliberately taught respect, responsibility and healthy relationships. Governments and families must invest in raising boys to understand what it means to be responsible men and partners,” he added.

The deputy governor further revealed that Lagos has continued to record progress in reducing maternal mortality through sustained investments in maternal and child healthcare, noting that the state now operates 11 Maternal and Child Centres across Lagos.

Commending the author, Hamzat described Who Is She as an important contribution to the national conversation on child protection and the fight against gender based violence.

Earlier, Sonayon James said the book was inspired by years of community engagement and research into social challenges affecting families and communities.

She expressed optimism that the publication would encourage dialogue and inspire governments, organisations and individuals to work together in building stronger families and safer communities.

Also speaking, reviewer of the book, Dr. Joy Oniyinyech Chionuma, called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and intensified advocacy against gender based violence, while Moroom Africa Founder, Mr. Dayo Adu, advocated reforms that would ensure education translates into employment opportunities for young Nigerians.