GBV: Who will save the women?

The alleged murder of 21-year-old Christianah Idowu by her friend Ayomide Adeleye at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, chillingly highlights the pervasive threat of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

Adeleye is also suspected in the deaths of his sister and girlfriend, adding to the alarming pattern of violence.

This tragedy, alongside the horrific rape of 14-year-old Mercy Vangervihi and the murder of 54-year-old Mrs Adene Iyabode by their young neighbours/employee for N150,000 underscores the urgent need to address this critical issue.

These are not isolated cases. These incidents reflect a larger, global problem of violence against women and girls.

A UNODC and UN Women report, “Femicides in 2023,” reveals a disturbing trend of intentional killings worldwide.

The report estimates that approximately 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed globally in 2023.

This underscores the need for immediate action to prevent such violence and protect women and girls.

A staggering 60 per cent of these deaths – 51,000 – were perpetrated by intimate partners or family members.

Femicide, the most extreme form of GBV, encompasses a spectrum of violence, from a husband murdering his wife after years of abuse to a young girl killed by her family for refusing a forced marriage.

Experts attribute these horrific acts to deeply ingrained societal beliefs that women and girls are inferior to men and must be controlled.

In Nigeria, the rising tide of femicide is particularly alarming.

In spite of the existence of legal frameworks like the Child Rights Act (CRA) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, coupled with public awareness campaigns and investments aimed at ending GBV, the numbers continue to climb.

Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, at a joint UN Accountability Forum, cited a 2021 National Bureau of Statistics report.

This report revealed alarming statistics: 30 per cent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, and one in four girls has suffered sexual abuse before age 18.

“These numbers are not mere statistics.

“They are the realities of women and girls whose voices demand to be heard, protected, and empowered, “she emphasised.

The Minister further highlighted the significant economic impact of GBV, stating that closing gender gaps could add N15 trillion to Nigeria’s GDP annually by 2025.

She highlighted the gap between women’s significant economic contributions—owning 41 per cent of SMEs—and their limited leadership representation.

According to her, this disparity is evident in senior leadership positions, 22 per cent and even more so in parliament, where women hold a mere 3.6 per cent of seats.

Mr Sunday Akbakaba, Data Manager at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, further emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating that between 2020 and 2023, the national GBV dashboard recorded 27,698 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

“The economic implications of GBV are also significant,” he noted.

Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Director to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasised that GBV extended beyond physical abuse, significantly hindering national development.

“Gender-based violence is beyond a man beating his wife.

“It can reduce the nation’s economic growth. Nigeria will never rise above poverty if GBV is not reduced,” she said.

Ms. Grace-Sim Auta, a legal practitioner and coordinator at Hope for the Village Child Foundation, Kaduna State, identified key challenges in addressing gender-based violence (GBV).

These challenges include significant delays in court proceedings and bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder timely justice.

Auta also pointed to a lack of cooperation from victims and their families, often stemming from fear of social stigma and further repercussions.

Mrs Elizabeth Duile, Chief Operations Officer of Civitas Auxillium Foundation (CAF), cited weak law enforcement, ingrained cultural norms, insufficient survivor support, limited community engagement, and inadequate education as major contributing factors to GBV.

Stakeholders also agree on the crucial role of the media in combating GBV.

Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice-President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), urged journalists to amplify the voices of victims and survivors and hold authorities accountable.

The 2024 annual 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign, themed “Towards Beijing +30: Unite To End Violence Against Women,” calls for concerted action to eliminate violence and create a safe society for women and girls.

In spite of the daunting challenges, the experts say there are signs of hope, as increased awareness, ongoing law enforcement efforts, and growing women’s empowerment initiatives offer a glimmer of light.

They agreed that maintaining momentum and achieving change requires several key elements, which include continuous pressure from civil society organisations and strong partnerships with traditional leaders.

They say sustained international support is also crucial to ensure that the voices of Nigerian women are heard and that progress, even if gradual, is achievable.

Source: By Justina Auta, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)