By Taiye Olayemi
AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has partnered with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to combat domestic and sexual violence, with a particular focus on the girl-child.
The partnership was unveiled as part of activities marking the 2025 edition of AXA Week for Good, the global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the insurance company.
The collaboration will see AXA Mansard and DSVA embark on a series of sensitisation campaigns, employee-led school activations, and public awareness drives designed to educate and advocate against sexual and gender-based violence in Lagos State.
Speaking after a partnership meeting at the DSVA headquarters in Lagos, the Head of Marketing at AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye, commended the efforts of the DSVA.
Ogunyooye in a statement, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting ongoing initiatives that protect vulnerable groups, especially young girls.
“For us at AXA Mansard, our posture is that the future shouldn’t be at risk. And if we have to protect the future, then we must protect the children.
“So, building on our works against sexual and gender-based violence, we thought it fit to work with the DSVA during this edition of our annual global CSR week, AXA Week for Good.
“We note the remarkable works that DSVA is doing in combating domestic and sexual violence in Lagos and sees this partnership as an opportunity to let them know that their work is appreciated, but more importantly is working with them around this shared interest to rid our society of violence,” he said.
Citing the 2014 National Survey on Violence Against Children in Nigeria, Ogunyooye highlighted that 25 per cent of girls in Nigeria experience sexual violence before the age of 18, while 15 per cent of those who are coerced or forced into sex become pregnant.
“What is even more disturbing is that these acts often occur in places where children should feel safest, their homes and schools.
“Over time, this contributes to the dangerous normalisation of violence against children, often justified by cultural norms,” he said.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, welcomed the partnership, describing it as timely and necessary.
She emphasised the importance of private sector collaboration in reinforcing the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
“Partnerships such as this are critical in amplifying our message and broadening our impact. DSVA is committed to providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure that the AXA Week for Good achieves meaningful results,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.
She noted thst the year’s campaign theme, “Being a Girl Shouldn’t be a Risk,” aims to spotlight the impact of domestic and sexual violence on the girl-child and mobilise community and institutional support for prevention efforts.
AXA Week for Good is the flagship initiative under AXA Mansard’s employee volunteering platform, AXA Hearts in Action. In 2024 alone, employees of the company volunteered over 20,000 hours toward community development projects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
