Rakiya A.Muhammad
ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication has urged all stakeholders to prioritise the fight against GBV and ensure that every Nigerian can live free from fear and violence.
It made the call in a statement signed by Chinomso Momoh, Outreach & Communications Specialist.
“As the world marks Human Rights Day and concludes the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV), ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication (ImpactHouse) urges immediate and comprehensive action to address the persistent and devastating impact of GBV in Nigeria,” it stated.
“GBV remains a critical human rights issue, violating the fundamental rights to life, dignity, freedom, and security enshrined in international conventions and the Nigerian Constitution.”
ImpactHouse noted that despite legislative advances such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and the Child Rights Act, enforcement remains inconsistent across the country, leaving countless survivors without justice or support.
“Harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and domestic violence continue to disproportionately affect women and girls. Shockingly, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that at least 30 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence,” it pointed out.
“ The 2024 Womanity Index by Invictus Africa highlights that Lagos, Rivers, and Ekiti states have the highest prevalence of GBV, with domestic or intimate partner violence being the most common form. Even more concerning, 70 per cent of GBV incidents occur within the home, and over 34 per cent of survivors seek help from family members rather than law enforcement due to mistrust in the system.”
ImpactHouse called on the State governments to enact and implement the VAPP Act, establish dedicated GBV courts, and provide strengthened legal aid services for survivors. Increased Funding:
It urged the National Assembly and state legislatures to allocate adequate funding to support the enforcement of GBV laws and the establishment of shelters, crisis hotlines, and sexual assault referral centres nationwide, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The organisation stressed the need for the Nigeria Police Force and judiciary to implement mandatory training programmes to ensure survivor-centred responses and eliminate harmful bias while urging the Ministry of Justice to develop clear guidelines and protocols for handling GBV cases to ensure timely and fair justice.
It also called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to lead nationwide campaigns targeting families, communities, and schools to challenge patriarchal norms, harmful cultural practices, and GBV stigma, just as it urged Local governments to establish community-based support centres to address the unique challenges faced by survivors in rural areas.
The statement quoted the Executive Director of ImpactHouse, John Andah, saying:” Laws alone are insufficient to combat GBV in Nigeria. The government at all levels must move beyond legislation to action and accountability.”
“ ImpactHouse believes that addressing GBV requires not only legislative measures but also sustained action, adequate funding, and a collective commitment to breaking the cycle of violence,” it added.
