The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria have sounded the alarm over the alarming rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country, revealing that one woman is either sexually violated or murdered every 10 minutes.
The shocking statistics were unveiled at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against SGBV, a global campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls. Themed “Unite to End Violence Against Women,” the event, held in Abuja, was organized in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and the MacArthur Foundation.
A Grim Reality
Speaking at the event, UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure painted a bleak picture of the crisis, emphasizing the scale and urgency of the issue.
“Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. Let that sink in,” Toure stated, his voice heavy with concern. “This is not just a statistic. These are real lives—mothers, sisters, daughters—being lost, families being shattered, communities being devastated.”
According to UNODC data, 89,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide in 2022—the highest figure recorded in two decades. Additionally, over one million crimes related to violence against women and girls were reported in 2022 and 2023, accounting for 20% of all police-recorded crimes.
Toure stressed that these figures only scratch the surface, as many African countries, including Nigeria, lack comprehensive data on femicide and sexual violence. The absence of accurate records, he warned, hinders the ability to fight the problem effectively.
“Without data, we are fighting blindly. At least one in 12 women falls victim to SGBV every year, and the real numbers are likely much higher.”
Nigeria’s Struggle Against Gender-Based Violence
Despite Nigeria’s existing laws against SGBV, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, enforcement remains a significant challenge. Many survivors remain silent due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of trust in the justice system.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola, acknowledged these barriers and emphasized the need for political will to ensure women’s protection.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the role that women play in national development, which is why we have women occupying key executive and advisory positions in this administration,” she noted.
She urged political and community leaders to prioritize women’s participation in governance and decision-making, arguing that increasing women’s representation in leadership can lead to stronger policies protecting their rights.
The Role of Youth and Legislation
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande called for a united front in combating SGBV, emphasizing that the fight must involve all sectors of society.
Speaking through Dotun Omoleye, the National President of the National Youth Council (NYC), Olawande insisted that without strong legal frameworks, efforts to curb gender-based violence would remain ineffective.
“SGBV is a menace that must be fought by every progressive thinker,” he declared. “However, this cannot be achieved without the right legislation and a well-structured judiciary.”
A Call to Action
As Nigeria joins the global campaign against gender-based violence, activists are urging the government to go beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to protect women and girls.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for more shelters for abused women, increased funding for crisis response centers, and stiffer penalties for perpetrators of SGBV.
Women’s rights groups are also pushing for better policing of sexual crimes, faster prosecution of offenders, and stronger laws ensuring survivors receive justice and rehabilitation.
