In Nigeria, gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread problem that affects many individuals and communities but it’s often kept in silence.
This silence creates a cultural barrier that leads to shame and isolation for survivors, making it difficult for them to seek help or justice.
Many victims feel trapped in fear due to the stigma surrounding their experiences, and societal norms often condone or ignore GBV, further silencing their voices.
Recognising the urgent need to break this cycle, stakeholders at the Advocates for Health and Rights of Women and Youths Initiative (ADHERI) at the unveiling of its Gender-Based Violence (GBV) policy in Lagos stressed the urgent need for everyone to work together and tackle the pressing issue, CHINYERE OKOROAFOR reports.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue in Nigeria, with alarming statistics underscoring the widespread abuse faced by women and marginalized groups.
According to the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, 31% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence at least once in their lifetime, and 9% have been victims of sexual assault. Additionally, 22.3% of women report facing physical and/or sexual violence from intimate partners.
Early and forced marriages further contribute to this crisis, with 43.4% of young girls married off before the age of 18, often exposing them to other forms of GBV, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, and female genital mutilation. These practices not only violate their rights but also pose severe health risks.
In light of these troubling realities, ADHERI’s GBV policy: “The Nigeria We Want Policy” is aimed at educating communities on the dangers of remaining silent. It also emphasizes the use of art-based interventions to promote awareness and create a safer, more equitable society.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, the involvement of its youth—over 60% of the population—has never been more crucial.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, stressed the importance of prioritizing youth as active contributors to societal progress, calling on policymakers and society to collaborate in building an inclusive and prosperous future where young people play a central role.
Ogunlende, represented by Lagos State Youth Ambassador Zainab Aderounmu, highlighted that over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under 25, underscoring the need to include their voices in policy-making.
He cited the Nigerian Startup Act of 2022 as an example of how youth-centred policies can drive entrepreneurship, job creation, and technological innovation.
Ogunlende stressed that for policies to be effective, they must extend beyond isolated initiatives, becoming systemic solutions that incorporate education reforms, economic policies, and opportunities for mentorship and capital access for young entrepreneurs.
He argued that when youth are included, policies become powerful tools that reflect the realities and aspirations of Nigeria’s young population.
Addressing the critical issue of bystander syndrome—a situation where silence in the face of injustice enables its continuation, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, presented a thought-provoking video during her session titled “Eliminating the Bystander Syndrome towards a GBV-Free Lagos.”
In the video, a lecturer instructed a student to leave his classroom, underscoring the risks of passivity when confronted with injustice.
Following the dismissal of the student, the lecturer asked his class about the purpose of laws. Students provided various responses, suggesting that laws exist for social order and to protect individual rights. However, one student’s answer—that laws are meant for justice—caught the lecturer’s attention.
When the lecturer inquired whether he had acted unfairly by sending the student out of class, the students agreed that he had. He then challenged them, questioning why they did not protest or intervene during the incident. He stressed that their academic knowledge would only have real significance if they lived it.
The lecturer stated: “You stayed silent because you weren’t affected. This attitude reflects poorly on you and on life itself. You may think it’s none of your business, but if you don’t help bring about justice, you may one day find yourself facing injustice without anyone to support you. Truth and justice exist through all of us, and we must fight for them.”
He emphasized that people often coexist without truly connecting, leading them to believe that the problems of others do not concern them. “Every day, injustice occurs in business, sports, and public spaces. Relying on someone else to address these issues is not enough. It is our duty to support others and speak up when they cannot. I am here to teach you about the power of your voice.”
The key takeaway from the video was clear: when individuals remain silent in the face of injustice, they unknowingly enable it.
Represented by Supervisor-SGBV Virtual Response and Referral Service Centre (VRRS), Sheila Orhevba, the session reinforced the urgent need for collective action and awareness to combat GBV and challenge the culture of silence surrounding it.
Vivour-Adeniyi explained that the syndrome describes the tendency of individuals to remain silent or inactive when witnessing wrongdoing, ultimately allowing such acts to continue unchecked.
Vivour-Adeniyi presented several strategies to combat this issue, emphasizing the importance of educating the public about the signs of abuse and encouraging the public to speak up.
She highlighted the agency’s initiatives, such as the “Virtual Response Team” (VRS) and the free helpline service for reporting cases of domestic and sexual violence. These services, accessible around the clock, aim to support survivors and ensure their protection.
ADHERI’s policy emphasizes the influential role of the arts in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. The organization asserts that creative expression can reshape societal attitudes, challenge harmful stereotypes, and facilitate conversations about GBV.
Through arts-based interventions in both rural and urban communities, ADHERI aims to increase awareness of GBV, its impact, and the preventive measures required.
The keynote speaker, PwC Africa’s Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Bolanle Adekoya, spoke on the theme “Arts: A Catalyst in Shaping the Nigeria We Want.” She emphasized the transformative power of the arts in shaping society, stating that through storytelling, visual expression, and cultural representation, the arts can challenge stereotypes, promote inclusivity, and foster national unity.
Adekoya highlighted the need for investment in the creative sector to amplify voices, preserve cultural heritage, and inspire a vision for a progressive and inclusive Nigeria.
Arts Programme Manager, Harry Kesiena, speaking on “Leveraging Arts to Drive Change in Nigeria” emphasized that GBV affects people of all genders and ages, and that art, as a universal language, can break down barriers, challenge harmful norms, and provide strength and healing for survivors.
He highlighted the British Council’s commitment to using the arts as a tool for social change.
He said: ”The British Council is currently engaged in various creative fields across Africa, including fashion, music, literature, and visual arts, noting that while Afrobeats is taking the global stage, other forms of art are also making significant impacts in changing harmful societal norms, even if less visibly.
He explained that through the Film Lab Africa program, supported by the British Council, young filmmakers from Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Ghana, and soon Kenya and South Africa, are being trained and given a platform to tell their stories.
Kesiena shared three powerful stories created by filmmakers addressing GBV, including a politician exploiting vulnerable women, a doctor abusing a visually impaired patient, and a therapist helping a survivor escape an abusive relationship.
These stories highlight the power of community action and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
He added that the British Council is funding 10 films under this initiative, with three specifically addressing GBV. Notably, these films are produced by female filmmakers, showcasing the urgency and pervasiveness of GBV in Africa.
Kesiena stressed the importance of developing systems that support survivors and hold abusers accountable, aligning with the goals of ADHERI’s policy.
He said that the British Council also aims to modernize with African culture at its core, recognizing Africa’s growing and youthful population, predicting a shift in gender roles and leadership by 2030, and envisioning a future where more women hold key decision-making positions.
Kesiena concluded by stressing the importance of the arts in influencing policy and uniting communities to take action against GBV. He called for an end to silence on the issue, urging stakeholders to continue working towards a society free from violence and fear.
A gender expert, Suzan Agada highlighted that GBV remains a critical issue affecting various demographics in Nigeria, with women and girls being the most affected.
She stressed that initiatives aimed at addressing and reducing these incidents are crucial for creating a fairer society where all individuals—women, men, boys, and girls—can thrive and contribute positively.
She commended the development of the policy, which incorporates the innovative use of art to communicate its message effectively.
She described the approach as a creative strategy to reach communities and raise awareness about GBV and its impact.
Agada encouraged everyone to continue collaborating and taking action to reduce GBV in homes, communities, and society.
She expressed her congratulations to the organizers of the event and wished for a successful and productive implementation of the policy.
ADHERI’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Etim said that the policy is aimed at reaching a wide range of groups, including survivors, government agencies, police, healthcare workers, schools, social service organizations, and the private sector.
The event also included a panel discussion with key stakeholders who spoke about the teamwork involved in creating the policy. They highlighted how arts and culture can be powerful tools in addressing and preventing GBV, as the policy uses art-based methods to prevent violence, support survivors, and promote positive change in society.
The program was supported by Leap Africa, PricewaterhouseCoopers Nigeria (Pwc), the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), and Alliances Francaise.
The main highlight of the event was an art exhibition featuring works from 10 artists. Their paintings focused on themes such as the importance of women, societal issues in Nigeria, and gender diversity, using art to speak out against GBV and advocate for change.
Stakeholders on GBV were presented with a plaque of honour by ADHERI for the fight against GBV.
ADHERI presented a plaque of honour to GBV stakeholders in recognition of their efforts in combating gender-based violence.
