The General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK), Mrs. Adetoun Ibilola Popoola hosted members of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) Queens’ Club in an interactive mentorship session at Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih Park in Oregun on Thursday as part of the collaboration with the DSVA.
During the session, Popoola spoke extensively about the various issues young girls face in their lives and shared relevant tips on how to surmount the challenges.
She emphasised that the girls should press on towards their goals irrespective of challenges as these form the ladder in their quest for the golden fleece.
The General Manager also reiterated the need to curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the society and the importance of victims speaking out early to get necessary help.
According to her, “Study shows that there’s an increase in sexual abuse during the holiday period and over 90% of abuse is perpetrated by someone that you know”.
Mrs. Popoola commended the State Government for its commitment to the Girl-Child and the DSVA for implementing programmes such as the mentorship session to sustain the Queens’ Club initiative to ensure a greater future for the children, particularly the Girl-Child.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary DSVA, Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi said that the Agency sought to partner with prominent members of the society who are committed to child empowerment and community development in order to have students who are members of the Queen’s Club be mentored and impacted by them in their own space.
In her words, “DSVA initiated the Queens Club Meet and Greet Mentorship programme to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the Queens Club Initiative geared towards getting secondary school girls trained, certified and inducted as part of the advocacy to reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) to the barest minimum”.
One of the Queens, Abimbola Ojo appreciated Mrs. Adetoun Popoola and the Lagos DSVA for the meeting which provided an opportunity to be mentored and get impacted.