16-day Activism Against Violence Toward Women, Children Ends

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in partnership with the World Bank Group Nigeria, hosted a high-level National Dialogue on Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Abuja and Lagos, marking the conclusion of the Ministry’s 2025 initiative and the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

The event brought together government officials, development partners, private sector, civil society, traditional and faith leaders, and the media, to strengthen efforts against violence towards women and girls.

In her keynote address, Minister of Women Afairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, highlighted that violence now extends beyond physical spaces
into women’s thoughts and privacy.

She called for unified action to eliminate all forms of violence—offline, online, at home, and in workplaces—and emphasised the huge economic and societal costs of GBV, including alarming statistics such as 31% of women aged 15–49 experiencing physical violence and a 45% rise in technology-facilitated abuse.

The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitments under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the domestication of the VAPP Act in 35 States and the FCT, strengthening the national GBV
strategy, expanding survivor support initiatives, launching new programs like Digital Harmony, and operationalising the National GBV
Data Situation Room to inform policy decisions.

World Bank Nigeria Country Director, Mr. Mathew Verghis, stressed that GBV hampers economic and human development across Africa, affecting productivity, labour participation, and strained health and justice
systems. He reaffirmed the World Bank’s focus on ending all forms of GBV as a core development goal, urging collective commitment to ensuring safety and equality for women and girls.

Mrs. Blessing Anunike, Director of Women Development, emphasised the importance of national coordination, survivor-centered policies, and evidence-based programs. Stakeholders agreed to accelerate reforms
such as enhancing survivor support, faster prosecution, improved data collection, community awareness, stricter online safety penalties, and increased women-focused financing.

The dialogue served as both a policy platform and a call to sustain momentum beyond the 16 Days of Activism, reinforcing Nigeria’s
commitment to ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality nationwide.