By correspondent in Abuja.
A non-governmental organization, Public Awareness on Rights and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Persons Initiative (PAR-RVPI), has called for collective efforts among stakeholders to combat sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls in Nigeria.
In a statement commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Executive Director and Founder of PAR-RVPI, Ms. Ogechi Ogu, emphasized the urgent need for action, noting the increasing prevalence of violence despite ongoing efforts.
Our correspondent reports that the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, part of the 16 Days of Activism, is themed “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Citing a recent UN Women report, Ogu expressed concern over the alarming reality that 140 women and girls worldwide lost their lives daily in 2023 due to violence perpetrated by intimate partners or close relatives.
She also referenced a joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, which revealed that 60% of female homicides were committed by intimate partners or family members, amounting to 51,000 intentional killings in 2023.
“The time to act is now,” Ogu stressed. We must collectively end the culture of impunity that emboldens perpetrators and establish strong accountability systems for violators of women’s rights,” she said.
Ogu pointed out that the escalating violence against women, particularly in conflict zones plagued by terrorism and banditry, remain a pressing concern.
As Nigeria marks Day Five of the 16 Days of Activism, Ogu urged all stakeholders to unite in the fight against GBV.
“We need collaboration between governments at all levels and civil society to establish and strengthen mechanisms that address this menace at its root. she said.
She encouraged survivors to rise above stigmatization and speak out against violations, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility to protect and uplift women and girls in society.
“Strategic partnerships with traditional and religious leaders are crucial in dismantling harmful stereotypes, discrimination, and stigmatization that enable violence.
“The fight against GBV cannot be won by activists alone.The public, educational institutions, and religious organizations must actively participate in campaigns, report cases, and provide support to survivors,”she emphasized.
Ogu also called for legislative reforms to ensure women’s inclusion in decision-making processes, economic empowerment, and the effective implementation of laws protecting women’s rights.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
