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Tag: Gender-based violence

  • Rape of two-year-oldrenews concerns over gender-based violence in Plateau (1)

    Rape of two-year-oldrenews concerns over gender-based violence in Plateau (1)

    • Inside Plateau’s growing gender-based violence crisis

    Plateau State has in recent years remained one of the flashpoints of gender-based violence in North-Central Nigeria. Cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child rape continue to make headlines, revealing the vulnerability of women and children in the state. One of the most disturbing incidents in recent times is the rape of a two-year-old girl, Maryam Ahmad, in Bassa Local Government Area, an event that has once again drawn attention to the systemic challenges of tackling gender-based violence in Plateau State, DAVID ADENUGA reports.

    Maryam Ahmad was just two years and eight months old when her life changed forever. According to her mother, Safiya Umar, a sexual assault on her occurred in October 2025 under circumstances she described as tragic and totally unexpected.

    Safiya explained that she lives separately from her husband, who resides in another house with his other wives.

    On the day of the incident, she had gone to attend to her sick father and, feeling exhausted, allowed Maryam to visit her father’s house in Bassa; something she rarely permitted. That decision, she admitted, would later haunt her.

    Safiya recalled: “When I came back and didn’t see her, I went to check. I found her lying down, with some bloodstains.

    “At first, I thought she had hurt herself. She was sleepy and later started vomiting.

    “She kept shouting ‘trader man, trader man.’ That was when I checked her and saw some dry blood.

    “Then I knew that something terrible had happened.”

    Medical examinations would later confirm her worst fears.

    The Toro Centre for Care and Support for Adolescent Children and Women got involved in the case after receiving reports.

    The Executive Director, Sulaiman Muhammad Sani, said his organisation was first informed on the second day, though details were unclear.

     “Later, we heard the child was in a hospital in Bauchi.

    “I mobilised my team, and after examination, we realised the facility was not suitable, so we moved her to Jos University Teaching Hospital,” he said.

    At JUTH, paediatric doctors referred Maryam to the emergency unit, where further examinations confirmed sexual abuse. Tests at the police clinic corroborated the findings.

    Despite her young age, Maryam was able to identify the alleged perpetrator.

    Sani added that the suspect had allegedly attempted such acts before, but earlier incidents were reportedly resolved quietly after community interventions.

    The suspect, 26-year-old Job Josiah from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested the day after the incident.

    However, the case took on a new dimension when some community members tried to dismiss the allegation because Josiah is a Christian.

    “They said we were lying against him. But a child of two years cannot lie. When she was asked at the station, she pointed at him,” Safiya said.

    Attempts to suppress the case initially led Sani’s organisation to publicise aspects of the incident on social media, drawing attention from senior police authorities.

    Plateau State Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina personally interrogated the suspect after receiving calls from higher authorities, including an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

    The case was later transferred from the State Criminal Investigation Department to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice; a stage that would determine whether the suspect would face charges in court.

    “We are following the case bumper to bumper,” Sani said.

    “We have seen cases delayed for months, with suspects granted bail and justice frustrated.

    “We do not want that to happen here.”

    Gender-based violence as a trend

    Maryam Ahmad’s case is one of many across Plateau State. Between 2023 and 2025, Plateau recorded several gender-based violence incidents involving minors and women, according to civil society organisations and media investigations.

    In September 2025, a 14-year-old girl in Gangare, Jos North, was allegedly raped by a chemist shop owner, who was reportedly released by community leaders after initial apprehension.

     In October 2025, the police arrested a man for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl in Mista Ali community, a case that sparked tension in the area. Some parents were reportedly pressured to accept financial settlements, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.

    Reports have highlighted a disturbing trend of sexual violence linked to insecurity and conflict in rural areas. A February 2025 report noted that several women were allegedly raped by “land-grabbing terrorists” in one year.

    A widow from Mangu Local Government Area recalled how five bandits gang-raped her 13-year-old daughter after killing her husband in November 2025.

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    Advocacy groups have also raised the alarm over rising sexual violence in rural communities such as Bokkos, Mangu, and Bassa, where limited access to justice and fear of stigma discourage reporting.

    In 2024, a series of child defilement cases prompted the Plateau State Government to restate its zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence, leading to renewed collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the establishment of gender desks in some police divisions.

    Despite the foregoing efforts, activists say prosecution remains slow, survivor support is inadequate, and poverty continues to expose women and children to risk.

    The National Human Rights Commission reported that Plateau State has recorded a total of 1,868 gender-based violence cases from 2024 to date.

    Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, the state’s Director Legal Coordinator, attributed the high numbers to prolonged violent attacks in the state, which have led to displacement, economic hardship, and increased vulnerability.

    She also noted that harmful traditional and religious practices contribute significantly to GBV.

    Mafuyai stressed that the official figures do not reflect the true scale of the problem, as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear. She observed that most reported cases involve child rape, while older women are less likely to come forward.

    “Many perpetrators are shielded. Even when cases are reported, incidents are often frustrated because people come to plead that the perpetrator be released or pardoned.

    “Religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians sometimes defend perpetrators instead of protecting victims.

    “This discourages reporting because survivors feel they may not get justice,” she said.

    She added that child-rape cases occur for many reasons. Some claim ritual purposes are involved, while in other cases, the psychological motives of perpetrators are unknown.

    “Rape remains a persistent form of gender-based violence in the state, and many survivors are unwilling to report because they lack confidence in the justice system,” she said.

    The NHRC also noted that perpetrators are often shielded even when cases are reported. Religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians sometimes intervene for perpetrators, discouraging survivors from seeking justice.

    The Commission stressed the need to change this narrative, saying perpetrators must be held accountable to serve as a deterrent to others.

     Efforts  to address GBV

    The NHRC engages in continuous advocacy across key sectors, pushing for reforms that make reporting safer and more survivor-friendly. It also advocates for shelters for victims of domestic violence.

    Sustained advocacy led to the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in 2022, which criminalises most forms of GBV and prescribes life imprisonment for rape.

    The Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission also provides another platform for reporting cases.

    The NHRC operates a complaint mechanism that allows members of the public to report GBV for investigation and appropriate action. It works with the police to strengthen gender desks and trains officers to respond sensitively to survivors.

    The Commission also engages men and young people to discourage harmful behaviour and conducts annual awareness campaigns during the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.

    These involve the justice sector, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and communities, using media programmes and town hall meetings to raise awareness and protect survivors.

    For Safiya Umar, the struggle goes beyond seeking justice. With her husband ill and no stable source of income, caring for Maryam and her other children has become increasingly difficult.

    “I am not doing anything for a living. Even feeding is a problem. We just want the government and police to help us get justice,” she said.

    As of the time of this report, Maryam’s case remained with the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, awaiting confirmation on whether the suspect had a case to answer in court.

  • Enugu launches multi-sectoral taskforce to end gender-based violence

    Enugu launches multi-sectoral taskforce to end gender-based violence

    Enugu State on Monday formally launched its Gender-Based Violence (GBV) taskforce, marking what stakeholders described as a decisive turning point in the fight against sexual and gender-based abuses across the state.

    The state had seen a dangerous rise in gender based violence, particularly against women in recent months, with the most recent case being a 51-year-old neighbourhood security operative, identified as Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu, allegedly murdering a 19-year-old maternal cousin, Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, inside a pharmacy at Total Roundabout, Nsukka.

    The launch, implemented by the Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC) in partnership with the Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development and funded by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC), brought together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and security agencies at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

    Declaring the Taskforce open, Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development and Chair of the taskforce, Mrs. Ngozi Eni, said the state had made a bold statement that “gender-based violence has no home in Enugu State.”

    She described the taskforce as a functional mechanism with clear mandates on prevention, protection, accountability and multi-sectoral coordination.

    “This is not a symbolic body. It is a force for action. Today, we begin a new era where every survivor is heard, every perpetrator faces justice, and institutions respond with one voice,” she said

    Eni commended Governor Peter Mbah for prioritising GBV response and creating an enabling environment for inclusive governance.

    She also praised the French Embassy and ESERC for supporting a survivor-centered framework that will strengthen shelters, legal aid, psychosocial support and safer reporting channels.

    Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the MoU signed by all partners demonstrated the state’s readiness to prevent GBV.

    “The pain of experiencing GBV is unimaginable. For this reason, I want to call on us all to always act responsibly, especially in moments of anger or under drug influence,” he warned.

    Religious and traditional leaders emphasized the centrality of community gatekeepers in eliminating GBV.

    Bishop of Nike Anglican Diocese, Rev. Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia, said involving the church and traditional institutions was “the most sensible step,” insisting GBV prevention would fail without them.

    Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, pledged monarchs’ commitment and called for constitutional recognition of their roles to perform more for their subjects.

    Executive Director of ESERC, Rev’d Ikechukwu Nwaogu, described the launch as a historic milestone. He said the project, supported by the French Embassy, had already transformed GBV reporting systems in Ebonyi State and would replicate similar success in Enugu.

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    Nwaogu highlighted the project’s three pillars: community engagement, multi-sectoral coordination and economic empowerment for survivors.

    He announced the training of Community Advocacy Groups in Enugu East and Nkanu East, the activation of the GBV Taskforce with all relevant MDAs and security agencies, and the rollout of seed grants to help survivors rebuild their lives.

    He stressed that impunity would no longer be tolerated, noting that taskforce hotline numbers have been distributed across schools, markets, churches and community centers.

    “This is not merely a structure; it is a movement to end GBV in Enugu State,” he said.

    Stakeholders jointly pledged sustained action to build a state where every child is protected, every woman is respected and every community rejects violence

  • Ondo govt declares zero tolerance for gender-based violence, focuses on digital abuse

    Ondo govt declares zero tolerance for gender-based violence, focuses on digital abuse

    The Ondo state government has declared zero tolerance for all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) as part of renewed efforts to curb the rising cases of abuse across the state.

    Dr. Seun Osamaye, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, made the declaration on Tuesday at an event heralding the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

    Osamaye said the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would no longer condone any form of GBV, including rape, defilement, domestic violence, and all forms of sexual or psychological abuse.

    She noted that the government remained committed to building an inclusive society “where gender-based violence is not tolerated and where justice is accessible, timely, and uncompromised.”

    According to her, this year’s campaign places special emphasis on digital violence, which she described as “silent, pervasive, and often overlooked.”

    “Fighting against gender-based violence cannot be achieved effectively if digital violence is ignored,” she said.

    Reaffirming government’s resolve to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls, Osamaye assured residents that the state would continue to work closely with civil society groups, traditional institutions, security agencies, and development partners to strengthen protection systems.

    She added that every woman and girl has the right to live in dignity, safety, and equality, and directed relevant ministries and agencies to reinforce existing frameworks, enhance community sensitisation, and ensure full enforcement of laws safeguarding women and girls.

    Osamaye further highlighted the urgency of tackling rising cases of online harassment, cyberstalking, revenge pornography, and other forms of digital abuse targeting women and girls.

    “Technology should empower, not endanger our women and girls,” she said.

    She announced that the 16-day campaign, scheduled for November 25 to December 10, 2025, will feature a series of activities aimed at raising awareness, strengthening response systems, and fostering collective action statewide.

    According to her, key events include the official launch and press briefing alongside the symbolic “Orange the World” illumination at the ministry on Tuesday, November 25, and an awareness walk and roadshow across major streets in Akure on November 26.

    She said the campaign is being organised in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Justice, the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, UNFPA, UNICEF, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, media organisations, and disability groups to ensure wide reach and impact.

    The Director of the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, Tunde Emoruwa, also raised alarm over the increasing prevalence of gender-based violence, warning that many victims continue to suffer and die in silence.

    He lamented the erosion of moral values and societal discipline, which he said is creating an environment where abuse thrives unchecked.

    Emoruwa said the menace is not only rising but “increasing at a geometric rate,” causing devastating harm to families, communities, and society at large.

    He, however, called for urgent collective action to halt the growing trend and protect vulnerable groups, especially women and girls.

  • ‘Collective efforts would end gender-based violence’

    ‘Collective efforts would end gender-based violence’

    • By Sherifdeen Amusa

    Lagos State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, has called for collective efforts towards ending gender-based violence in the state.

    She made the call at a one day workshop for religious and community leaders, themed, “Restoring Dignity through Faith and Leadership”, held at Lagos Chambers of Commerce, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Mrs Dada said the theme of the workshop  was  both a call and a challenge which reminds us that all faiths preach love, compassion, justice, and the sanctity of human life, adding that, “there is no religion that supports the oppression or subjugation of another human being”

    She said  the  initiative reflects “our collective resolve to end all forms of gender -based violence and to promote a society that upholds the dignity, safety, and equality of every human being, especially women and girls.”

    She added that gender-based violence was not only a social ill but a spiritual crisis that destabilises the society, thrives in silence and sustained by harmful cultural norms and misinterpretations of religious teachings.

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    She assured that her ministry will continue to pursue deliberate, people centered interventions that address both the root causes and consequences of GBV.

    She said the involvement of community and faith based leaders was essential to restore the much needed dignity towards ending gender-based violence.

    “Therefore, your involvement in this fight is not optional, it is essential. When a pastor preaches compassion for victims, when an imam condemns violence, and when a community leader refuses to shield abusers under the guise of family matters, we begin to restore dignity through faith and leadership.” she said.

    She said the workshop was designed to strengthen their “ capacity to identify, respond to, and prevent acts of gender-based violence within your spheres of influence”, adding that “It also provides a platform to build synergy between faith institutions, community networks, and the Ministry, in promoting a Lagos where peace, safety, and respect for human dignity prevail.”

    She further urged the participants to use their influence to break the silence, correct harmful narratives, and promote mutual respect between men and women.

    “Let your sermons, teachings, and community engagements reflect zero tolerance for gender-based violence,” she said.

    WAPA Permanent Secretary Rianat Onigbanjo appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for “providing the enabling environment under the THEMES Plus Agenda, which continues to prioritise social inclusion, gender equality, and human capacity development.”

    She hailed Mrs Dada, for her unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of women, promoting family stability, and ensuring a violence-free society.

  • Agbarere community launches social charter against gender-based violence

    Agbarere community launches social charter against gender-based violence

    In a significant step toward community-led action against gender-based violence (GBV), the Agbarere community in Ilorin has launched a Community Social Charter, a framework aimed at protecting women and girls, promoting gender equality, and holding perpetrators of abuse accountable.

    The Charter was unveiled by Alhaji Kadir Baba Yusuf, the Community Head, and endorsed by traditional, religious, and civic leaders, marking a direct result of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI)’s sustained engagement and mobilisation of influential traditional rulers, supported by the Ford Foundation.

    Agbarere is one of several communities BBYDI is supporting across Kwara State to catalyse sustainable social transformation; ensuring that women and girls are not only protected but also have a seat at the table in traditional decision-making spaces, with clear mechanisms in place to punish GBV offenders.

    As part of the launch event held on Saturday, September 20, over 250 participants, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth representatives, security agencies, and civil society actors, joined the dialogue.

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    Gender advocate and educationist Mrs. Funmilayo Olutimehin delivered a powerful keynote on “Community Responsibility in Ending Gender-Based Violence,” calling for a collective stand against harmful norms and unwavering support for survivors.

    In a parallel session, BBYDI’s Communications Director, Sanni Alausa-Issa, stressed the importance of male engagement in the fight against GBV. “We cannot end gender-based violence without confronting the roles that harmful masculinities play and replacing them with values rooted in empathy, respect, and accountability,” he said.

    BBYDI Executive Director Nurah Jimoh-Sanni affirmed the importance of the charter as a tool for community-led accountability and ownership.

    He said, “Our goal is to build a system where communities don’t wait for external interventions but take charge themselves. We’re here to support them with the tools, knowledge, and platforms they need.”

    With more engagements planned across Kwara State, BBYDI remains committed to advancing the fight against GBV through education, community mobilisation, and partnerships with traditional and religious institutions.

  • CAN to churches: raise awareness against gender-based violence

    CAN to churches: raise awareness against gender-based violence

    National leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Monday, urged churches to raise awareness against gender-based violence and its devastating impact on families and communities.

    CAN president, Daniel Okoh, gave the advice at the launch of the gender-based violence prevention project at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

    Okoh also said men and women of God must not be silent when women are being brutalised in their homes and communities, adding that the church must not be indifferent when girls are denied education, dignity, or protection.

    He said, “I bring you warm greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is with a profound sense of responsibility that I address you today at this important launch of the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Project—an initiative that reflects the Christian Association of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and the protection of the vulnerable in our society.

    “Let me begin by commending the Ford Foundation and WEWE for their tireless work in promoting gender justice and supporting faith-based approaches to social transformation. This partnership represents what can be achieved when faith meets action and compassion is translated into advocacy and service.

    “The theme for today’s event, “Christian Leaders’ Response to Violence Against Women and Girls,” could not be more timely. Across our communities, we are daily confronted with heartbreaking stories of abuse, exploitation, and violence, often perpetrated in silence. As Christian leaders, we must join forces with other humanitarian organisations that want an end to this anomaly.

    “The Holy Bible commands us to defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17). Our Lord Jesus Christ showed special concern for the marginalised, including women and children, who were among the most vulnerable in His time. If we are to be true disciples, we must follow His example by creating safe spaces, speaking out against injustice, and taking practical steps to end the cycle of gender-based violence in our homes, churches, and communities today.

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    “Men and women of God must not be silent when women are being brutalised in their homes and communities. The church must not be indifferent when girls are denied education, dignity, or protection. As Christian leaders, we have the moral responsibility to protect the weak and vulnerable around us. We must use our voices, our pulpits, and our influence to break the culture of silence and shame that often surrounds gender-based violence.

    “CAN’s Commitment through this project, CAN will work with churches across all blocs to: Raise awareness of gender-based violence and its devastating impact on families and communities; Train clergy and church workers on how to identify, prevent, and respond to cases of abuse; remote survivor-centered support systems that affirm the dignity of women and girls; Advocate for stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

    “In closing, I pray that the Spirit of God will empower us all to be agents of peace, justice, and transformation in our time. May this project bear lasting fruit, not only in the lives of those it touches directly, but in the spiritual health and witness of the Nigerian church.”

  • Enugu declares zero tolerance for gender-based violence

    Enugu declares zero tolerance for gender-based violence

    The Enugu State government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), declaring zero tolerance for the menace.

    To drive this agenda, the government inaugurated a high-level steering committee at the Government House in Enugu. 

    The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, and includes representatives from key ministries and institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force, Ministries of Agriculture, Local Government, Human Development, Trade and Investment, Justice, Health, Education, and the Civil Society.

    Named the Steering Committee for Strengthening Institutional and Community Responses to End Gender-Based Violence/Domestication of Enugu State Gender Policy, the panel will adopt the Oputa Panel approach in tackling GBV across the state.

    While inaugurating the committee, Governor Peter Mbah reiterated his administration’s resolve not only to prosecute perpetrators but also to implement proactive measures—including activities, infrastructure, and systems—to prevent gender-based violence.

    Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said, “We take gender-based violence seriously. We have zero tolerance for it, and in Enugu State, we are ready to go the extra mile to deal with it.

    “If you notice, the government has selected people that are very committed to this goal. This is not an activity where we just want to check-off the list. We will track this. We will monitor this, and we will have quarterly engagements on the successes that this particular committee has achieved in terms of reference that we are going to send. 

    “We will tighten those terms of reference indicators, so that we monitor what we are doing both in terms of cost input and the value added. It’s very important to us. Many people will be involved – civil society, the police and various ministries.”

    He however, said that the effort was to protect everyone, men and women alike, as GBV was not restricted to any gender.

    “The whole idea is to hold people responsible that are involved in matters relating to gender violence and deter people that by culture or by association get involved in that, protect women, protect our children, and in the case of violence against men, protect our men because most times we misconstrue gender violence to mean women, but it can also be men too.

    “We encourage our men to speak out and to make sure they understand that the policy that Enugu State is soon going to domesticate is for everyone, and not only for the female gender,” he stated.

    In her remark, Mrs. Enih, explained that the Oputa Panel approach was inspired by the need to cover all local peculiarities in domesticating the policy on GBV, restarting government’s confidence in the members of the panel.

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    “The approach we are going to use is the Oputa Panel approach, and in the Oputa Panel approach, we are going to tour the 17 Local Government Areas to get firsthand information about what our people are going through because policy is meant for the people, and a policy should suit the people.

    “Again, every community has its peculiar problems, so that’s why the government decided that if we have to domesticate the gender policy, we have to hear from the people who own the policy and know the changes that they desire to see. That is the reason we are using this approach. 

    “The committee members are to also serve as judges. As we gather this information from our people, we will come back to tailor it in a way to suit the people of Enugu State, and then our policy is ready.

    “We want the people to know that there is a gender policy for them. I can assure you that when the people are aware that there is such a policy, they will seek for the enforcement of that policy. So, this is not going to be one of those policies that will just lie on the shelf,” she said.

  • Monarchs, others decry menace of gender-based violence

    Monarchs, others decry menace of gender-based violence

    Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has condemned the rising menace of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), stressing that it “goes against our core cultural and religious values of compassion, justice and the protection of the vulnerable.”

    The monarch said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to combat GBV in the state.

    The topic of the meeting is: ‘Mobilising stakeholders for action against GBV in Kwara.’

    The event was sponsored by Ford Foundation.

    Represented by the Daudu Jeje of Ilorin, Alhaji Al-Haeri Abdulwahab, the Emir said GBV undermined the dignity, security and well-being of not only the victims, but also their families and communities at large.

    The monarch, who acknowledged the significant role leaders played in shaping societal norms and values, encouraged fellow traditional rulers to join him in championing the fight against GBV, noting that collective effort was required to prevent violence, support survivors and promote lasting change.

    “Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a pervasive challenge that undermines the dignity, security and well-being of countless individuals.

    As leaders and custodians of tradition, we have a profound responsibility to ensure our communities become havens of peace, respect and equality,” he noted.

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    The highlight of the event was the launch of some resource documents on GBV, including a Factsheet, Issue Brief and the GBV Prevention and Advocacy Toolkit, developed by BBYDI.

    Alhaji Sulu-Gambari described the toolkit as a timely and vital resource for traditional rulers and other leaders to lead the fight against GBV, noting that he was encouraged by the emphasis the document placed on partnership and community engagement.

    Corroborating his colleagues, Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Prof Halidu Abubakar, says violence against women comes in different forms, adding that it varies from culture to culture.

    Abubakar added that the menace was more commonplace in rural communities.

    He urged the NGO to take its advocacy against GBV to the remotest areas of the state.

    “Women in our society suffer from serious violence be it verbal or physical,” he said.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq hinted that his administration was intentional, deliberate and strategic to put an end to GBV in the state.

    The governor said his administration had, accordingly, set up a-21 man committee to tackle cases of GBV in line with government’s commitment.

    He said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at a statewide stakeholders’ forum against GBV.

    Traditional rulers or their representatives across the 16 local governments were in attendance.

  • CEWHIN, CPN hold community awareness on GBV prevention in Lagos

    CEWHIN, CPN hold community awareness on GBV prevention in Lagos

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), has decried heightened vulnerabilities faced by women and girls with disabilities in the society, emphasizing the need for awareness to drive systemic change and protect vulnerable groups.

    CEHWIN disclosed this during a community awareness and sensitization on the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls with disabilities (WGWDs)in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State.

    The event was held in collaboration with the Child Protection Network (CPN).

    Supported by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund), the awareness initiative aimed to educate community members on the impact of gender-based violence on women and girls with disabilities, as well as highlight practical steps for prevention and response at the community level.

    Speaking, Programme Officer of CEWHIN, Pamela Stephen, said the event successfully strengthened community awareness on gender-based violence against women and girls with disabilities while fostering collaborations between local organizations, government agencies, and residents. “CEWHIN and its partners reaffirm their commitment to sustaining these conversations and driving meaningful action to protect the rights of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria,” she said.

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    A gender specialist and one of the facilitators, Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, said people with disability suffer gender based violence more.  “We are asking that everyone should put their hands together and make sure that we hold perpetrators accountable and stop this crime in our society. We should support people who suffer from it and direct them to report so that the perpetrators are apprehended and justice is dispensed.

    Commending the initiative, she said: “We are happy to identify with CEHWIN for implementing this project. Lagos State government has brought out legislation to support them and make sure that perpetrators face justice.  They should come out and speak out. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence  Agency’s numbers are there. They can call and get free medical support and counselling.”

  • 133 Nigerian women, girls killed in 2024 due to Gender-Based Violence – Report

    133 Nigerian women, girls killed in 2024 due to Gender-Based Violence – Report

    A new report by the DOHS Cares Foundation has revealed that over 133 Nigerian women and girls, including teenagers, were killed in incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) between 1 January and 31 December 2024.

    The data comes from the Foundation’s tracker dashboard, which monitors cases of femicide across the country.

    DOHS Cares, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting gender-based violence, compiled the report based on verified incidents published by media outlets, including The Nation.

    According to DOHS Cares founder Ololade Ajayi, the reports highlight a troubling trend of violence. Verified data shows that from January to March 2024, 12 women were killed. Among the victims was three-year-old Asiya, whose body was discovered in Bauchi State with some body parts allegedly missing after she was reported missing.

    In April 2024, nine women lost their lives. This included 100-year-old Aminat, who was killed by her 67-year-old son, Lukman Adejoju, following a dispute over palm oil sales.

    From May to June 2024, at least 23 women were killed. One victim, a 69-year-old widow named Ifeoma Ajuluchukwu, was beaten unconscious in her home while battling an illness.

    In July 2024, 16 cases were reported. Among the victims was Ifeoma Eze Esther, a first-year student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, who was pushed from a hotel’s third floor by unidentified men.

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    In August 2024, eight women, including a newborn baby, were killed. Nine-year-old Runaisa Sadiq was among them; she was raped and murdered by a pharmacy owner in Kano after her father took her to him for malaria treatment.

    In September 2024, seven women were killed, including 13-year-old Oriyomi Gboyega, whose severed wrists were found in the possession of an Islamic cleric.

    In October 2024, 20 cases were recorded. One of the victims, 24-year-old Priscilla Ocheme, was found dead after visiting her male friend, Ekosuehi Elvis, on October 21.

    While some suspects have been arrested, many perpetrators remain at large, according to the report.

    Ajayi noted that the 133 reported cases represent only the verified incidents. “We have more unverified reports, and once they are confirmed, the figures might increase,” she said.

    He urged the government to enact stronger laws to prevent, punish, and eliminate violence against women. She emphasized the need for swift action to protect women and girls from these tragic incidents.

    The report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence in Nigeria.