TheCable

The Lagos government says it intends to introduce compulsory marital counselling for intending couples to ensure they are enlightened about matters relating to domestic violence.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the development was announced at a programme for marriage registrars in the state.

The programme was organised by the state’s domestic and sexual violence agency (DSVA), in collaboration with the ministry of local government and community affairs.

Represented by Razaak Amodu, director, department of local government in the ministry, Kikelomo Sanyaolu, permanent secretary, ministry of local government and community affairs, commended the DSVA’s efforts in curbing domestic and sexual violence in the state.

On her part, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, DSVA executive secretary, said at least 60 percent of survivors of domestic violence who contracted their marriage under the Matrimonial Causes Act, knew about the abusive tendency of their intending spouses but still proceeded with the union.

These red flags and other issues, according to her, shows the need for marriage registrars to provide more professional support to intending couples.

Issues such as 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 state’s marital effectiveness preparatory counselling programme were discussed.

A total of 120 marriage registrars, including their deputies across Lagos, attended the programme.