The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday said stemming the causes of gender-based violence requires citizens’ participation at all levels.
This was as it revealed ongoing plans with states to provide mobile courts for the swift administration of justice in GBV cases nationwide.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, disclosed this at the launch of the Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative in Abuja on Thursday.
She said, “Due to the increase in cases of gender-based violence in our society, I’m calling on all citizens to please take this battle to the enemy’s camp.
“Let us not be silent. Let us pull our efforts together to rid this nation of this menace of gender-based violence…If you see something, please say something.”
GBV in Nigeria has been a critical issue, with the country recording 27,698 cases between 2020 and October 2023.
This includes a wide array of violence forms, from domestic to sexual violence, which affects both women and men across the country.
Data compiled since the inception of the GBV National Dashboard indicates not only the prevalence of such cases but also the challenges in combating them.
In the period under review, there were 1,145 fatal GBV cases and 393 convictions of perpetrators, suggesting that while some justice is being meted out, the problem remains widespread and deeply concerning.
The Nigerian government’s response to GBV has been multifaceted, including efforts to improve data collection and reporting mechanisms to better understand and address the issue.
However, the culture of silence and societal norms often result in the underreporting of GBV cases.
Furthermore, rights groups say the role of religious and traditional leaders in suppressing cases within their communities indicates the complex socio-cultural dynamics at play, which require thoughtful and sustained intervention strategies
But the minister of women’s affairs, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Gender Affairs, Friya Bulus, said her administration is now changing the narrative for women and girls and is poised to engineer a paradigm shift in the approach to women and girls’ empowerment.
“Through dedicated efforts, the ministry is creating a more inclusive and equitable society where the potentials of women and girls are realised and their voices are heard and where everyone is contributing to the development and progress of our great nation.
“No nation will have meaningful development if women are left behind. I therefore urge everyone present in this hall to provide tangible solutions that will advance the cause of women in Nigeria,” she called.
Kennedy-Ohanenye also revealed that “the ministry has secured the support of the Nigeria Governors Forum to set up mobile courts in all the states.”
She promised that these courts would expedite the administration of justice in all GBV cases.
On his part, the Director General of CSCHEI said the organization is poised to strengthen and support the capacity of marginalised individuals and groups to have their voices heard, participate in decision making and secure their rights.
According to Yusuff, CSCHEI will intensify its “campaigns to strengthen policies to protect women and children’s rights and change unfair pricing practices of giant multinational companies” operating in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Senator Lawal Usman, representing the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, said the committee on primary and secondary education, which he chairs, is working to ensure access to education and, by extension, reduce GBV cases.
Usman stated, “I have a lot to contribute to this significant project because education is key. And Basic is the most important education.
“That is the condition of education. If you don’t get it right, you’re not going to get anywhere.
“We are against gender-based violence! There is a bill currently on the second reading on domestic violence and we’re taking a very tough stance on domestic violence. It is never going to be accommodated in our society.”
