Lagos Govt Unveils Guidelines To Tackle Sexual Harassment At Workplace

Lagos Unveils Workplace Sexual Harassment Guidelines After Survey Findings

 September 25, 2025

The Lagos State Government has introduced new guidelines to prevent and address sexual harassment in workplaces, following alarming findings from a recent survey.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) launched the framework at a symposium held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, which examined the impact of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on labour and organisational productivity.

The event drew over 130 professionals from banking, oil and gas, hospitality, FMCG, and trade unions.

DSVA Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, described SGBV as not only a human rights violation but also a major economic burden. Citing the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, she noted that the country loses an estimated $3 billion annually—nearly one percent of national output—due to SGBV.

Presenting the results of a recent DSVA survey of 549 professionals, Vivour-Adeniyi said:

• More than 70% of respondents had experienced workplace harassment directly.
• 89.3% knew someone who had been affected.
• Only 4.5% reported never encountering workplace harassment.

“This reality underscores the urgent need for enforceable workplace policies that prohibit misconduct and promote dignity, respect, and inclusivity,” she said.

Chairman of the Lagos Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Princess Olumegbon, pledged the House’s commitment to strengthening laws against gender-based violence, describing SGBV as both an economic and societal threat.

The symposium also featured a keynote address by Kemi Ibru, Founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), who called for zero-tolerance policies and stronger survivor support systems.

The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Lagos State Guidelines for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, an initiative designed to create safer and more inclusive work environments across the state.