The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has launched the “Soro Soke” (Speak Up) campaign to tackle sexual harassment across public transport systems in the state.
The campaign was unveiled at a stakeholders’ engagement held at LAMATA headquarters, as part of efforts to improve commuter safety and promote a gender-inclusive transport system in Lagos.
The engagement focused on addressing sexual harassment within informal transport spaces under EMPOWER Project 3, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and managed by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commended LAMATA for sustaining the empowerment programme for over five years. He stressed the need to break the culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment, urging victims and witnesses to speak up and report incidents.
“This campaign is about creating safe spaces for all commuters, especially women. Reporting harassment is key to ending it,” he said.
Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to sustaining the anti-sexual harassment initiative, noting that LAMATA would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure safer transport environments.
According to her, the campaign reinforces its resolve to make public transport in Lagos safer, more inclusive and responsive, ensuring the protection and dignity of all commuters.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing sexual and gender-based violence within public spaces.