The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has commenced consultations and community mapping on the male engagement project for the elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, (VAWG), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Harmful Practices in Lagos State.

The program, initiated by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) under the Spotlight Initiative, is aimed at a Nigeria where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, live a life free from violence and harmful practices.

The project lead, Mr. Vincent Dania, said yesterday in a statement that the Spotlight Project is being implemented in Lagos, Cross River, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Adamawa states and the FCT.

According to him, Centre LSD will be working alongside other implementing partners to achieve the goal of the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria, from its focal states of Cross River and Lagos.

Dania said Centre LSD shall mobilize men and set up platforms of men against Sexual and Gender Based Violence at the community level; strengthen the capacities of identified traditional, religious leaders and media; identify and train male advocates and champions at different levels (community, state and national) to continuously speak up against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

“The centre shall also engage male opinion leaders to secure support for VAWG, gender equality and the empowerment of women; train women and girls’ rights defenders in relevant skills to better engage with religious leaders to end VAWG and HP.

“In the first year of the project, Centre LSD will be working in two Lagos LGAs of Yaba and Ikorodu. And citizens can follow the activities via #SpotlightEndViolence #SpotlightNG and #MenAgainstSGBV###.”