Addressing the Rising Tide of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria

In Ogun State, the rising prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) has drawn national attention, with disturbing cases like that of 14-year-old Temitope (not her real name), a student at St. Anthony Grammar School. On November 15, she was reportedly assaulted by her 17-year-old acquaintance and seven others. Threats and recordings of the act silenced her initially, highlighting the pervasive fear and stigma faced by survivors.

Another tragic incident involved 17-year-old Habeebah Akinsanya, a student at Lisabi Grammar School, who was assaulted and murdered on her father’s farm. The suspect, a known offender, confessed to other crimes, underscoring the urgent need for systemic intervention.

According to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, between January and December 2023, at least 269 children aged one day to 16 years were victims of sexual violence. The youngest survivors included infants as young as 41 days old.

Globally, GBV statistics remain alarming. A 2023 report by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime revealed that nearly one in three women experiences violence in her lifetime, and a woman is killed every ten minutes worldwide.

To combat these injustices, the 2024 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, themed “No Excuse: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women,” emphasized the collective responsibility to break the cycle of violence and empower survivors.

For survivors like Theresa (not her real name), the trauma of sexual violence has lasting impacts. Assaulted and impregnated at 14 by a trusted mentor, Theresa was forced to abandon her education. The stigma she faced pushed her into menial jobs, denying her the future she once envisioned.

Gender-based violence inflicts lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm. It is imperative to strengthen support systems for survivors, enforce stringent laws against perpetrators, and foster a society where every woman and girl can live free from fear and harm.