Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs has said statistics on gender-based violence in the country is a worrying indicator that a woman has just been abused or a young girl’s life is at risk.
She also urged for intensified efforts to fight gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria and added that 30% Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have suffered physical or sexual violence.
Revealing that gender-based violence is a gross violation of human rights, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said “it prevents women and girls from reaching their full potential and undermines our nation’s progress”
.”Violence knows no tribe or creed—it cuts across social and economic boundaries, she stated at a media briefing to launch the 2024 “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign in Abuja, the country’s capital, on Monday.
In what she described as a societal challenge that hinders national development, the Minister called for urgent need to address the “pervasive issue” of gender based violence.
While commending progress in legislative reforms, such as the domestication of the Child Rights Act in all 36 states and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in 35 states, she stressed the importance of effective enforcement of these laws.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim posited that the increasing rate of abuse, particularly among the vulnerable, including women in conflict zones, girls with disabilities, and young girls in rural areas.
The Ministry, in collaboration with partners, will organize various events across the country during the 16-day campaign, including sensitization campaigns, school visits, workshops, and an awareness walk to the National Assembly.
Efforts will also focus on empowering girls in rural communities and enhancing survivor support through Nigeria’s 47 Sexual Assault Referral Centres.Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating a Nigeria where women and girls can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.
“When women and girls thrive, sustainable development is assured”, she enumerated.
She urged stakeholders to adopt a multi-sectoral approach, engage men and boys as allies, and promote education to challenge harmful cultural norms.
Additionally, she announced the launch of a National Electronic Dashboard to improve data collection and ensure accountability in GBV prevention.
The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” runs from November 25 to December 10.
This year’s campaign, themed “Unite Campaign: Towards Beijing to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” commemorates the commitments made at the 1995 Beijing Conference, which advanced global efforts for gender equality.