Raising more awareness in our communities has been acknowledged as critical to the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This is why the Extended Hands Foundation with support from Ford Foundation took its activism to local schools and communities across Lagos State.

The benefitting communities included Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA and Shogunle LCDA while the school outreaches took place at Greensprings Schools, Gbara Community Senior Secondary School, Molan High School, Victoria Island Senior Secondary School, New Edition School, Great Lilly College, and Ireti Senior Grammar School.

Nollywood screen diva and founder of Extended Hands and Hope Foundation, Ambassador Stephanie Linus, noted that awareness raising is key to spreading a clear message of zero tolerance of all forms of violence within our communities.

“With a rise of domestic violence cases around us, there is urgent need for engaging local communities to address the root causes of SGBV to bring effective behavior and social norms change,” she emphasised.