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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has said Nigeria reported between 2020 and 2023, a total of 27,698 cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), which resulted in 1,145 fatalities and 393 convictions for perpetrators.
He made the disclosure during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, ahead of the official launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from November 25 to December 10, 2024.
Ojukwu, who called for a collective response to the crisis, stated: “These figures are not just numbers; they represent lives lost and futures destroyed.”
He noted that in October alone, the NHRC received 427,606 complaints related to human rights violations. He added that the campaign would engage various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, civil society organisations, and the media, to foster collaboration and drive initiatives aimed at reducing violence against women.
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“We must galvanise our efforts to create a safer environment for all individuals,” Ojukwu said.
He said this year’s theme: ‘Equality – Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights’, underlined the need for collaboration among stakeholders to combat gender-based violence effectively.
Recent reports indicated that one in three women in Nigeria experienced violence in their lifetime, with 33 per cent of women aged 15 to 49, falling victims of physical or sexual violence.
Meanwhile, the RoLAC initiative, funded by the European Union, and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), is set to play a crucial role in the campaign. Their ongoing efforts have included establishing Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across Nigeria, which have provided critical support to thousands of survivors.
