Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti Lead GBV Fight – Report

The 2024 Womanity Index has recognized Lagos, Rivers, and Ekiti states as frontrunners in combating gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices against women and girls in Nigeria.

The report, released in Abuja by Invictus Africa, a civic organization dedicated to human rights and gender equality, surveyed 18,500 respondents, a significant increase from 5,800 in 2023. According to Bukky Shonibare,  Executive Director of Invictus Africa, the index assesses subnational governments’ progress in preventing GBV and promoting gender equality, focusing on five key areas: laws and policies, legal justice access, survivor support services, public awareness, and budget allocation.

Shonibare revealed that 63% of Nigerians have either experienced GBV or know someone who has. The most common forms of GBV include domestic violence, psychological abuse, and sexual violence, with over 70% of cases occurring in homes, followed by public spaces such as markets, schools, workplaces, and religious institutions.

The report also found that 34% of GBV survivors first seek help from family members, followed by law enforcement. However, trust in law enforcement and judicial systems remains a challenge, underscoring the need for systemic improvements.

Calls for Action

– Breaking the Silence:  Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum (NIGWF), urged Nigerians to break the culture of silence surrounding GBV. She called for greater advocacy, increased law enforcement support, and more women in decision-making roles.

– Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Rev. Fr. George Ehusani of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation emphasized that GBV hinders national development. He highlighted the need for heightened public awareness and reinforced legal systems to secure justice for survivors.

– Data and Monitoring: Dr. Chichi Aniagolu,  Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, stressed the importance of data in tracking GBV trends and identifying areas for intervention. She called for data-driven strategies to improve GBV prevention and response mechanisms.

The report serves as both a progress tracker and a call to action, with the ultimate goal of every state achieving “blue state” status—a benchmark for comprehensive and effective GBV prevention and response.