Tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria: A Call for Coordinated Action

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a widespread and urgent issue in Nigeria, deeply rooted in cultural, social, and institutional structures. It encompasses rape, sexual abuse, early and forced marriage, domestic violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), trafficking, and denial of education. These abuses, particularly prevalent in conflict zones, affect the physical, psychological, and social well-being of survivors, most of whom are women and girls.

According to the World Health Organization, one in every three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner. Furthermore, 38% of all murders of women are committed by their partners. While SGBV also affects men and boys, women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable, especially during conflict and displacement. In northeast Nigeria, for instance, the Boko Haram insurgency has escalated rates of SGBV, leaving many women subjected to rape, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation.

The culture of silence, combined with stigma and weak institutional response, allows perpetrators to go unpunished. Many victims do not report abuse due to fear of retaliation or social exclusion. Families often discourage reporting to “protect” reputations, further emboldening perpetrators. Moreover, legal loopholes and institutional corruption allow SGBV to persist unchecked. In northern Nigeria, for example, Section 55(1)(d) of the Penal Code permits a husband to “correct” his wife, effectively legitimizing domestic violence.

While Nigeria has ratified international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), domesticating these treaties remains a challenge. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015, which criminalizes various forms of SGBV, is only operational in some states, limiting its impact nationally. Even where legal frameworks exist, implementation is hampered by a lack of political will, inadequate resources, and institutional bias (UN Women, 2015).

SGBV manifests in various forms. In homes, women endure battery, sexual coercion, and reproductive control. In public, they face street harassment and workplace exploitation. In conflict zones and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, armed groups and sometimes even security personnel demand sex in exchange for food and protection. The consequences are severe: injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, mental health issues, and, in extreme cases, suicide or maternal mortality. In addition, adolescent girls are especially at risk. Survival sex-trading sex for necessities-is a coping mechanism among displaced populations. Girls fetching water or firewood from distant areas are frequently assaulted. Many are forced into early marriages, robbing them of education and exposing them to lifelong trauma.

Again, Men and boys are not immune. Cases of sexual violence against male captives of armed groups have been documented, though underreported due to even stronger stigma. Nevertheless, most perpetrators of SGBV remain men-whether insurgents, intimate partners, or authority figures. Despite some progress, major gaps remain. Coordination between local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and international NGOs is weak. Government response is inconsistent and often reactive rather than preventive. Survivors lack access to medical, legal, and psychosocial support due to cost, availability, or distance. Corruption, delays, and a lack of sensitivity to survivors’ needs plague the justice system.

To tackle SGBV effectively, establishing referral centers to support victims of SGBV is a highly recommended immediate plan in Nigeria. As seen in Kaduna, the state government established four operational Sexual Referral and Assault Centres, in each senatorial zone, to provide support to victims of GBV. The centres focus on preventive measures rather than merely responding to cases, ensuring a proactive approach to tackling GBV. This has led to securing 11 convictions of offenders across the 23 local government areas of the state in 2024 and a 30 % increase in GBV cases reporting. Similarly, the Mirabel Centre in Lagos is Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral center (SARC) and has assisted over 20,000 survivors with free medical, psychosocial, and legal services. Its success inspired replication in states like Enugu and Kaduna. In addition, technology can aid these efforts. Mobile apps, confidential helplines, and digital reporting tools can provide discreet support and information, especially in rural or insecure regions.

Also, enhancing legal frameworks by ensuring full domestication and enforcement of the VAPP Act and other protective laws in all states will serve a key strategy in combating the SGBV in Nigeria. Ekiti State is a notable example where the VAPP Act was effectively domesticated. As a result, 30 cases of GBV have been documented, 24 of which have already been convicted. In addition, the government should also raise public awareness through education campaigns in local languages and community engagement to challenge harmful norms and promote reporting. The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria has delivered public education campaigns in local languages through radio, community theatre, and religious platforms. The program not only led to strengthening and developing gender-sensitive laws but also improved access to GBV services, data, and information use.

Moreover, empowering women and girls through access to education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles in justice, peacebuilding, and governance is a strong step forward. In Borno State, displaced women who received livelihood training and cash support through UN-led interventions became less vulnerable to survival sex and early marriage. 

Furthermore, multi-stakeholder engagement has proven effective in reducing cases of GBV. In Nigeria, for instance, traditional and religious leaders have been at the forefront of the abolishment of harmful practices; their voices can shift community norms and reduce the culture of silence. Engaging traditional leaders in West Africa, rather than opposing them, is essential to curbing violence against women and girls and promoting their empowerment. This collaborative approach is crucial for enacting positive change in communities and achieving significant progress in addressing these issues. Equally, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Ministry of Justice must ensure legal redress is accessible and efficient. At the same time, CSOs must build trust, remain accountable, and advocate effectively for the rights of survivors. 

Addressing SGBV in Nigeria is not only a matter of justice but a prerequisite for sustainable development and lasting peace. As former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rightly stated, violence against women is “one of the most heinous, systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world.” In Nigeria, where at least 30% of women aged 15 – 49 have experienced physical violence, the crisis demands more than rhetoric – it demands immediate, sustained action. The government must institutionalize and fully fund a national SGBV response framework, enforce existing laws without exception, and strengthen survivor-centered support systems across all states. Anything less is a failure to protect half the population and a betrayal of the nation’s commitment to human rights and gender equality.