In a decisive move to strengthen commuter safety and promote gender equity, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has launched the “Soro Soke” (Speak Up) Campaign, aimed at tackling sexual harassment across public transport systems in Lagos.
The campaign was unveiled during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held today at LAMATA’s headquarters. The session focused on addressing sexual harassment within informal transport spaces as part of EMPOWER Project 3, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and managed by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).
The EMPOWER initiative seeks to build the capacity of transport professionals while promoting a gender-equitable and inclusive transport system that prioritizes the safety and dignity of female passengers.
The event featured a distinguished panel including the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, FNSE; and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
Also in attendance were representatives of key transport and safety stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), LAGFERRY, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC). Participants were further drawn from organizations such as Oneness Transport and WARIF, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transportation commended LAMATA for its consistency in implementing the EMPOWER programme for over five years. He emphasized the importance of breaking the culture of silence and encouraged victims of sexual harassment, as well as witnesses, to speak up and report incidents.
In her remarks, Engr. Mrs. Akinajo reaffirmed LAMATA’s commitment to sustaining the anti-sexual harassment campaign, noting that the Authority will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure safer transport environments for all commuters.
Key outcomes from the engagement include:
Increased Surveillance: Deployment of additional Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) personnel across more BRT stations and terminals.
Enhanced Advocacy: Launch of the “Soro Soke” Campaign, encouraging victims and witnesses to report incidents through QR codes strategically placed across transport hubs statewide.
With the “Soro Soke” campaign, LAMATA reinforces its resolve to make Lagos public transport safer, more inclusive, and responsive—ensuring that every voice matters and every commuter is protected.
