The Lagos government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, has urged men to regard household management as a shared responsibility with women.
The executive secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, gave the advice during the ‘Couples Wey Sabi Market Fiesta’, held on Tuesday at Oyingbo Market, Yaba.
Ms Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that men should not abandon household duties to women alone, but rather embrace them jointly for the peace and progress of their families.
She explained that the ‘Couple Wey Sabi’ initiative is an offshoot of the ‘Men Wey Sabi’ programme, encouraging couples to perform domestic roles traditionally assigned to women.
She noted that such stereotypes often fuel gender-based violence, highlighting that breaking them would foster healthier, more respectful relationships within families.
According to her, many cases handled by the agency stem from domestic disagreements, often linked to issues such as meal preparation, cleanliness, or childcare responsibilities not being met as expected.
Ms Vivour-Adeniyi warned that such stereotypes could easily become triggers for domestic violence if left unchallenged. She added that helping with household chores does not diminish masculinity but instead builds healthier marriages grounded in cooperation and respect.
The executive secretary stressed the importance of peaceful family environments for children’s development, noting that parental behaviour strongly influences children’s future perceptions of acceptable conduct.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence through sustained advocacy, public education, and collaboration with stakeholders.
The event, organised in collaboration with Power Oil Nigeria Ltd. and KissKids Nigeria, featured a cooking competition where couples showcased their teamwork and culinary skills.
The contest underscored the message that domestic responsibilities are shared and not determined by gender.
A childcare competition, sponsored by KissKids Nigeria, also allowed couples to demonstrate their parenting skills, reinforcing that childcare is an equally joint duty.
(NAN)
