The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including the growing threat of digital abuse targeting women and girls, as the 2025 edition of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence was launched in Abuja on Monday.
The flag-off event, held at the Envoy Hotel and hosted by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with Women for Women International and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marked the national commencement of this year’s campaign themed: “UNiTE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
Delivering her keynote address, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described GBV as one of the most widespread human rights violations in the country. She called for urgent, coordinated, and strategic national action, emphasising the need to protect women and girls both online and offline.
She warned that recent mass abductions, conflict-driven violence, and widespread impunity continue to endanger women and undermine national stability. Citing the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), she noted that 28 percent of women aged 15–49 had experienced physical violence, 40 percent emotional violence, and 7 percent sexual violence, with GBV cases surging 149 percent during the COVID-19 lockdowns despite conviction rates remaining below 5 percent.
The minister also highlighted improvements from the NDHS 2024 report, including slight reductions in child marriage (42 percent) and female genital mutilation prevalence (18 percent).
She emphasized the government is building on these gains through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programme, which expands survivor support services, digital empowerment initiatives, gender-specialised courts, safe spaces, and a national GBV Emergency Response Fund.
“Survivors remain at the heart of Nigeria’s response,” the minister said. “Their courage shapes our policies and strengthens our resolve to ensure justice and dignity for every woman and girl.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, reaffirmed the government’s determination to deepen evidence-based advocacy and strengthen national coordination toward ending GBV. “Only through collaboration, constructive engagement, and shared ownership can we achieve lasting impact,” she added.
