The federal government is taking steps to establish an emergency gender-based violence response fund to close the wide financial gaps affecting prevention programmes and support services for survivors across the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made this known on Monday during a high-level engagement held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The meeting was organised in partnership with Women for Women International.
She explained that the proposed fund had become necessary because less than 0.5 per cent of the national budget currently goes to GBV prevention and response, leaving safe spaces and survivor support centres struggling to operate.
According to her, this funding gap has made it difficult for institutions and frontline workers to provide the level of care women and girls urgently need.
While speaking, the minister condemned the growing attacks on women and girls, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States and the kidnapping of six female directors. She described the incidents as a national emergency that shows how exposed many women remain in their homes, workplaces and communities.
“GBV remains one of Nigeria’s most pervasive human rights violations,” she said, citing figures from the National Demographic and Health Survey.
The survey shows that 28 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while 40 per cent have suffered emotional abuse. In spite of rising reports, the minister noted that the national conviction rate remains below five per cent.
She stated that the new fund would be part of the ministry’s 9-Pillar Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programme, which aims to strengthen institutions, expand safe spaces and improve justice delivery through specialised gender desks and courts in all states.
She added that the ministry is working to raise the national conviction rate from five per cent to 25 per cent by 2026, with plans to set up comprehensive support centres in every senatorial district.
Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim also praised recent landmark convictions and appealed for a compassionate review of Ochanya’s case so that justice can be fully served.
She called on government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders and the media to support the National Action Plan, saying that ending GBV is both a moral duty and a development priority for Nigeria’s stability and progress.
UN Women representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, said Nigeria has made commendable moves by ratifying international conventions and passing laws such as the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act, but enforcement remains weak.
She stressed the need for stronger legal implementation and awareness programmes for both men and women.
“These centres provide integrated services, including legal aid, healthcare, psychosocial support and economic reintegration for survivors,” she said, while referring to one-stop GBV response centres created through the Spotlight Initiative.
She added that traditional leaders, men and youths must play stronger roles in promoting prevention, protection and community-level accountability.
Thelma Ekiyor, Chief Executive of Women for Women International, outlined the organisation’s Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme, which offers a full year of leadership training, economic empowerment and community engagement. She said lessons from 14 conflict-affected countries show that Nigeria can build a strong model by focusing on protection, public awareness, enforcement, shelters and male engagement.
She expressed readiness to work closely with the ministry to expand interventions and make Nigeria a leading example in the region.
(NAN)
