Many women cause domestic violence by actions says Lagos Commissioner.

Many women cause domestic violence by actions says Lagos Commissioner.

Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lola Akande has said many women, by their actions, are the cause of the rate of domestic violence in Nigeria.

Akande made the observation at a programme on Management of Domestic Violence, organised by the ministry in Lagos, saying negligence, sophistication, misguided utterances, infidelity, use of abusive words and gullibility on the part of the women, are factors that drive domestic violence.

According to her, it is no longer news that many women have lost their lives through domestic violence, saying the more we try to put the blame on the men folk, the more we will continue to turn blind eyes to the fact that many women are the cause of the domestic violence we see today.

Akande said this was because they failed to understand some important aspects of how most men were wired, saying some women also cause violence by using abusive words and misguided utterances that can provoke the men.

She said stated that a man who beats a woman was a beast, and does not deserve to live with humans, saying no matter how provoked you may be as a man, please, never raise your hand to beat your wife.

The commissioner advised men and women to be understanding, tolerant and communicate more, to prevent violence in marriages.

Akande said the programme was organised due to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s commitment to exploring all avenues to nip the scourge of domestic violence in the bud, and reduce it.

She spoke through Director, Women Development Department, Olushola Falana.

Earlier, Principal Consultant, Centre for Sex Education and Family Life, Praise Fowowe, said communication and dialogue should be explored to resolve family issues, rather than resorting to violence

Fowowe said dialogue could prevent needless deaths from domestic violence as well as promote the dignity of humanity, where there would be respect for life.

Also speaking, Director, Lagos State Office of Public Defender, Oluwabukola Salami urged women to get empowered so as not to be liabilities to the men.

According to her, it will be difficult for any man to beat his wife when she is empowered and contributes meaningfully in the home.

Salami urged women who were in abusive marriages to report to appropriate agencies to get help and safeguard their lives.

She urged the public to be their brothers’ keeper, and report any form of domestic violence in their neighborhood.