The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to start compulsory premarital counseling exercises for intending couples in its latest bid to prevent and eradicate domestic violence in marriage.
The plan was announced by the government during a one-day engagement programme for the state’s marriage registrars, organized by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Kikelomo Sanyaolu, the permanent secretary for the ministry announced this as a measure to prevent domestic violence across the state.
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the executive secretary of the DSVA expressed her concerns about the gap in professional pre-marital counseling in the country and how it could have prevented most of the domestic violence cases because over 60% of victims saw the signs before getting married and still went ahead no thanks to inadequate counsel.
The event which had notable facilitators like Tinuke Odukoya, the Executive Director, Center for women’s Health and Information, Mr. Oladele Emmanuel, Founder, Institute of marriage administrators and counselors of Nigeria, also had in attendance Mr. Praise Fowowe of the Institute of Family Engineering and development, who had worked closely with the state in designing the 8 module pre-marital counseling programme.
Mr. Praise Fowowe shared a data-driven approach to curbing domestic violence through effective pre-marital counseling sessions. He commended the Lagos State Government for this initiative and entertained questions from the registrars on the challenges they have been facing and how to resolve complex marital issues.
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi announced a three-day training for the registrars to introduce them to the curriculum and train them on how to facilitate effective pre-marital counseling.
The registers took time to express their gratitude to the State Government for this initiative which will promote a healthy family life within the state and a peaceful society