•Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said that over 30,000 cases of Gender-Based Violence(GBV) were officially reported to the Ministry between 2020 and 2024.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this today in Abuja, at the knowledge-enhancing session on the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and access to justice; an initiative jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice and UN Women, with funding support from Ford Foundation, reports Daily Independent.
The minister represented by Mrs. Adesuwa Ogundaye, Director, Legal Services in the Ministry, quoted the Ministry’s Gender-Based Violence Data Situation Room Report, which says that “one in every three Nigerian women has experienced some form of violence.”
The minister who described the statistics as alarming, said “These are not just statistics: they represent shattered lives, broken dreams, and generational trauma.”
While commending the widespread adoption of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015 in 35 States and the Child Rights Act, (2003) in 36 States of the Federation, she however, observed that the gap between legislation and implementation remains wide.
According to her, “In many states, the funding, enforcement, and awareness required to operationalise these laws are lacking.
“Survivors continue to encounter justice systems that are under-resourced, insensitive, or out of reach.”
The minister therefore, called for nationwide enlightenment on the full implementation, funding, and monitoring of these critical legal frameworks, adding that, “This must include capacity building for community actors, religious and traditional institutions, law enforcement agencies, and judicial officers. Laws must not only exist; they must work.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also advocated the establishment of National Social Protection Agency dedicated to addressing the multidimensional needs of survivors and other vulnerable groups.
“Such an agency will harmonise support services including emergency shelter, psychosocial care, health access, economic reintegration, and legal aid; ensuring no survivor is left behind,” she said.
Also speaking, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, described traditional leaders as “heartbeat of their people.”
Fagbemi represented by Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko,Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, called on traditional leaders to play significant role in reducing gender-based violence in Nigeria.
He pointed out that Nigeria has strong laws to tackle GBV, adding that, “laws are not enough,” as traditional leaders are expected to play active role in local justice system and community based support programmes.
In her welcome address, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said GBV remains one of the most persistent and devastating human rights violations globally.
Eyong represented by Ms. Patience Ekeoba, Acting Deputy Representative, UN Women Nigeria, reiterated that Nigeria has made significant progress with the passage of landmark laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and the Child Rights Act 2003, adding that, “we must confront a hard truth: laws alone are not enough.”
According to her, “Recent evidence shows that the cases of GBV have grown beyond these statistics because of the violent conflict across the country, socio-economic downturns and slow recovery from COVID-19.
“Behind each statistic is a name, a face, a story. A young girl married off before her body is ready.
“A woman battered into silence in her own home. A survivor ridiculed for seeking justice.
“Across the country, the scars are visible; broken families, school dropouts, mental health trauma, and cycles of violence that continue across generations.”
She therefore, reminded traditional leaders of their critical roles in mitigating GBV in their communities.
Eyong said: “Traditional rulers are not only cultural custodians but trusted moral authorities.
“Your words shape perceptions. Your actions influence behaviour.
“Your leadership can dismantle harmful norms and usher in new standards of dignity, safety, and equality, especially for women and girls.”
She emphasised that the two-day training session was designed to equip them with knowledge, tools, and platforms that would amplify their voices and impact in their communities and localities.
Some of the traditional leaders who spoke on the occasion commended the initiative, while expressing their willingness to work assiduously in reducing GBV in the country.
It was in recognition of the influential role that traditional institutions play in shaping societal norms, that the programme was designed to equip traditional leaders with the knowledge and tools to address SGBV within the framework of national laws, particularly the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
