By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a powerful initiative, UN Women and the Magdala Unity Foundation are jointly calling on victims of gender-based violence (GBV) to break their silence and seek help without fear.
This campaign is part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging community engagement.
Deputy Representative of UN Women, Dr. Nesreen El Molla, emphasised the urgent need for collective action to combat violence against women in Nigeria.
“We are here to celebrate a key event in our fight against violence,” she stated, underscoring the commitment of UN Women to support initiatives that create a safer environment for women and girls.
She highlighted a staggering statistic: one in three women in Nigeria suffers from some form of violence, with many incidents remaining unreported.
Molla stressed the importance of creating a supportive environment for survivors. “We want to ensure that women and girls feel safe to speak out about their experiences,” she stated. “The stigma surrounding GBV must be dismantled to empower victims.”
She acknowledged the progress made through legislative measures in Nigeria, such as the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, but stressed that more work is needed. “Despite these efforts, we still need to do more to truly end violence against women,” she asserted.
The Deputy Representative also called for the active involvement of traditional and religious leaders, as well as male allies, in protecting women’s rights. “We count on everyone in the community to advocate for women’s rights and help preserve their dignity,” she said.
She outlined practical steps for empowering communities to combat gender-based violence (GBV). She emphasized the significance of viewing everyone as advocates for women’s rights. “If every individual—be it a father, mother, sister, or community leader—discusses women’s rights and protection from violence, the message will resonate more powerfully,” she stated.
Molla further urged that discussions on women’s rights should extend beyond formal events. “Ending violence against women should not only be advocated for during these 16 days but throughout the entire year.
We need to talk about women’s rights and ending violence against them everywhere—in the streets, markets, and public transport—every day of the year, not just during these 16 days of activism,” she asserted.
She highlighted the importance of laws and policies but stressed that real impact comes from community engagement. “It is crucial that we all contribute to a culture that supports and protects women,” calling for sustained advocacy and awareness throughout the year.
In collaboration with the Magdala Unity Foundation, Molla expressed optimism about the potential for grassroots movements to drive change.
On her part, President of the Magdala Unity Foundation, Victoria Ihesiulor, speaking on the theme for this year’s campaign is “Unite to End Violence Against Women,” highlighted the urgent need for collective action to combat this pervasive issue.
“Out of every three women in Nigeria, one is abused daily,” Ihesiulor stated, emphasising the necessity for women and their male counterparts to unite and declare that enough is enough. She noted that participants in the event came from various communities, including Duse and Nyanya and other grassroots communities, to ensure their involvement in the fight against violence.
Ihesiulor urged attendees to return to their communities and educate others about ending violence. “Whatever they learn today must be shared widely; speaking out is crucial,” she said.
She added that the foundation has provided participants with a hotline number to report abuse, reinforcing the message that silence is not an option.
“We must unite—NGOs, religious leaders, political figures, and traditional leaders—to eradicate gender-based violence,” she continued. Ihesiulor criticised the culture of silence surrounding domestic abuse, urging individuals not to remain complicit when witnessing violence within families.
Addressing the complexities of gender-based violence, she acknowledged that while men are often perpetrators, some women also contribute to the cycle of abuse. “We recognize that there are instances where women can be harmful to one another, but these cases are not as prevalent as those involving men,” she explained.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day.
President of the Magdala Unity Foundation, said the foundation barely a year has over 10,000 members with a mission to protect the welfare of women and children in Nigeria. “Despite being newly established, we have made significant strides through impactful projects in Kano, Kaduna, Akure, and the Federal Capital Territory,” she stated.
Ihesiulor reiterated the urgent need to address systemic inequalities and gender-based violence (GBV) that women face today. She called for a deeper understanding of GBV, sustainable solutions, and education on legal frameworks to combat it.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where women are safe and empowered,” she concluded, encouraging attendees to sign a banner symbolizing their dedication to ending GBV in their communities.
Ihesiulor concluded with a call for solidarity: “Let’s come together and speak out against all forms of abuse. There is no excuse for violence, whether against a spouse or a domestic worker.” She expressed hope that through collective efforts and awareness, lasting change could be achieved in the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria.