AXA Mansard, Nigeriaโs foremost insurance provider, has joined forces with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) to raise awareness and promote education on domestic and sexual violence, with a special focus on protecting the girl child across the country.
This collaboration coincides with AXA Mansardโs annual โWeek for Good,โ a global corporate social responsibility initiative. The partnership will feature a variety of activities, including employee-led training, public awareness campaigns, and school-based activations, all supported by expert guidance from the DSVA.
Speaking at the partnership launch at the DSVA office, Olusesan Ogunyooye, Head of Marketing at AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, expressed admiration for DSVAโs efforts and emphasized the companyโs commitment to supporting their work.
โOur belief is that the future should not be at risk,โ Ogunyooye said. โTo safeguard the future, we must protect our children. Building on our ongoing fight against sexual and gender-based violence, we see this partnership with DSVA as a vital step during our Week for Good to contribute to a safer society.โ
He also highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts: โDSVAโs work in Lagos is commendable, and we see this partnership as an opportunity to show our support and work together to eliminate violence from our communities.โ
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of DSVA, welcomed the partnership, describing it as a positive move in addressing violence against girls. She underscored the significance of private sector involvement in amplifying Lagos Stateโs zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence. She reaffirmed the agencyโs commitment to providing expertise and resources to ensure the initiatives under AXA Week for Good make a meaningful impact, fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for all.
Under the theme, โBeing a Girl Shouldnโt Be A Risk,โ this yearโs AXA Week for Good aims to spotlight the devastating effects of sexual and domestic violence on the girl child.
Data from the 2014 Nigerian National Survey on Violence Against Children reveal that 25% of girls experience sexual violence before age 18, and 15% of girls coerced into forced sex before 18 become pregnant. Ogunyooye described these statistics as deeply troubling.
He added, โIt is alarming that these acts of violence occur in environments where children should feel safe, such as homes and schools. The normalization of violence, often justified by cultural norms, is a ripple effect we must address.โ
AXA Week for Good is the flagship program of AXAโs employee volunteering initiative, AXA Hearts in Action, which saw employees contribute over 20,000 volunteer hours in 2024.
