Lagos to Introduce compulsory counselling for intending Couples

The Lagos State Government says it is ready to introduce compulsory Marital Effectiveness Preparatory Counseling for intending couples.

This, it says, is to ensure newly weds are proactively enlightened about Domestic and Sexual Violence in Lagos State.

This move was disclosed on Monday during a one-day engagement program of all State Marriage Registrars, organized by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The Permenant Secretary of the the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Kikelomo Sanyaolu, represented by the Director, local government administration, Razak Amodu also expressed the willingness of the ministry in proactively addressing Domestic violence in Lagos State.

The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi noted that at least 60% of survivors of domestic violence who had contracted their marriage under the Matrimonial Causes Act, saw the abusive signs of their spouses early during courtship, but still proceeded with the union.

She says, it has therefore become expedient for marriage registrars to provide professional support to intending couples.

The Facilitators at the program were Tinuke Odukoya, Executive Director, Centre for Women’s Health and Information; Oladele Temilade, Founder, Institute of Marriage Administrators & Counselors of Nigeria and the Founder of Family Life Engineer, Praise Fowowe. They took the participants on emerging issues which include gender and sex roles, understanding Domestic violence, statutory roles of Marriage registries, family system engineering as well as an introduction into the curriculum of the Lagos State Marital effectiveness preparatory counselling.

A total of 120 marriage registrars from across the State comprising registrars and their deputies attended the event.

The National president of the Local Government Registrars of marriage in Nigeria, Deji Sokeye, in his vote of thanks, reassured the State of their commitment in embracing the initiative.