Inner Wheel Joins Global Campaign To End Gender – Based Violence

Inner Wheel District 910 Nigeria has officially joined the global effort to end gender-based violence (GBV) by launching its participation in the Orange the World campaign.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, District Chairman IWM Felicia Agbonhese explained that the campaign aligns with the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 to December 10 and coordinated by UN Women.

She praised the nine clubs under District 910 for their readiness to implement advocacy programs throughout the 16-day campaign.

The District Chairman highlighted that GBV includes physical, emotional, sexual, digital, and economic abuse, disproportionately affecting women and girls.

She shared alarming statistics: nearly one in three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence, while in Nigeria, 30% of women aged 15–49 have faced similar abuse.

She also noted the economic impact, estimating that GBV costs countries up to 3.7% of their GDP due to reduced productivity, healthcare costs, and other social consequences.

Agbonhese stressed that gender-based violence is preventable through awareness, speaking out, and challenging harmful social norms. “Through unity of purpose and strength of service, Inner Wheel members aim to amplify one powerful message: No woman, girl, or person should live in fear,” she said.

She further explained that District 910 is collaborating with UN Women, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), FIDA, NGOs, schools, community leaders, the private sector, and media organisations to support survivors, educate the public, challenge stigma, and promote equality.

Agbonhese emphasised the importance of ending impunity for offenders, breaking the culture of silence, and dismantling victim-blaming attitudes.

“For us, oranges are a symbol of hope and a future free from fear,” she said, reaffirming Inner Wheel’s commitment to advocating for policy reforms, raising public awareness, providing support systems for survivors, and promoting safety in communities, schools, and workplaces.

She also called on men and boys to act as allies, parents and teachers to educate youth, and leaders to strengthen policies and enforcement mechanisms. “To every survivor: you are not alone. Inner Wheel stands with you,” she added.

Also speaking on the occasion, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, highlighted digital violence as one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse in today’s connected world.

He described it as including online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, digital blackmail, misinformation, and technology-facilitated trafficking.

Represented by the Director of Women and Children at the NHRC, Gozo Corey, he said these violations suppress voices, restrict meaningful participation, and instil fear in spaces meant to encourage learning, expression, and empowerment.

He emphasised that the NHRC, as Nigeria’s statutory agency responsible for promoting, protecting, and enforcing human rights, was committed to ensuring digital spaces are safe for women and girls to participate freely, innovate, learn, and lead.