UN Commits To Improving Justice, Protecting Nigerian Women, Girls

The United Nations(UN) in Nigeria, said it remains committed to working with the Nigerian government, civil society organisations, development partners and communities to strengthen access to justice and protection for women and girls.

According to the world umbrella body, the commitment includes; supporting legal reforms, strengthening institutions, expanding survivor support services, and promoting social norms that uphold equality and respect.

The UN Resident Coordinator and
UNDP Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah stated this at the launch of ‘The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria’, organised by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) with support from United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Abuja on Friday.

Attafuah said the anthology (The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria) highlighted some important realities faced by women and girls seeking justice in Nigeria.

She said the anthology draws attention to the financial cost of justice, noting that many survivors of violence must pay for transportation, medical reports, legal representation, and repeated court appearances.

The UN Resident Coordinator observed that for women who already face economic hardship, these costs can make the pursuit of justice extremely difficult.

“Access to justice is central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies with accountable institutions that serve all people.

“It is also closely connected to Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, which reminds us that ending violence against women and girls requires strong legal systems, responsive institutions, and supportive communities.

“As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Rights, Justice, Actions for All Women and Girls,” this anthology challenges all of us to move beyond commitments and focus on practical action that ensures justice is accessible to every woman and girl,” she added.

On her part, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said
the launch forms part of the activities to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, a global moment of celebrating progress made toward gender equality and renewing the collective commitment to address the challenges that women and girls continue to face.

“The theme for International Women’s Day 2026, “Rights, Justice, Actions for All Women and Girls,” reminds us that achieving gender equality requires more than commitments. It requires protecting the rights of women and girls, ensuring they have access to justice, and taking concrete actions that transform systems and institutions,” she said.

Eyong noted that for many women and girls, especially survivors of gender-based violence, justice remains difficult to access as survivors often face financial barriers, lengthy legal processes, stigma, and limited access to legal support.

“These challenges can discourage women from reporting abuse or pursuing justice, leaving violations unaddressed and perpetrators unaccountable.The anthology we are launching today helps to shine a light on these realities. It documents the voices, experiences, and resilience of women who have navigated the justice system in Nigeria.

“Through these stories, we are reminded that justice is not only about laws and institutions. It is also about people, dignity, and the ability of women and girls to seek protection and accountability without fear or financial hardship.

“Recent data shows that 27,698 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were reported in Nigeria between 2020 and 2023, reflecting the scale of the challenge. At the same time, the demand for survivor services continues to increase.

“At UN Women, we remain committed to working with government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and community leaders to strengthen laws, expand survivor centred services, and promote social norms that uphold the rights and dignity of women and girls,” she stated.

Also speaking, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, said the ministry
remains firmly committed to strengthening survivor-centred justice responses.

Represented by the Chief State Counsel, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response (SGBVR) unit in the ministry, Habiba Ajanah-Hamza,
the AGF said the stories captured in the anthology are powerful reminders that justice is not merely a legal concept—it is a human experience.

“Our work continues to focus on improving coordination across institutions, supporting effective investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence cases, and ensuring that victims are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect throughout the justice process.

“However, achieving meaningful access to justice requires a collective effort. Government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the legal community, and the media must continue to work together to ensure that justice systems are accessible, responsive, and inclusive for all women and girls.

“Initiatives such as this anthology play an important role in deepening public understanding and strengthening advocacy for reforms that make justice more attainable and more humane,” he added.