The Nigerian government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to shielding women and girls from Gender-Based Violence and advancing their fundamental rights.
This declaration came during a symposium held in Abuja to commemorate the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, hosted by the Voice Communities of Practice CoP.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Edo Ekata, Principal Community Development Officer in the Gender Affairs Department, acknowledged the ongoing global threat of GBV, citing alarming statistics in Nigeria.
“One in three women and girls aged 15-49 have been victims of violence, with one in five experiencing physical violence alone.
Additionally, 31% have faced sexual violence, and 5% of women have endured physical violence during pregnancy,” Ekata revealed.
Despite the daunting statistics, Kennedy-Ohanenye, through her representative, assured that the ministry remained steadfast in its efforts to create a safer and more equitable environment for all.
She highlighted several initiatives undertaken to combat GBV, including sex offender register and national GBV data collation tool.
