The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening protective measures to safeguard women and girls.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, said this during the ‘2025 No Tolerance March’ as part of activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on Saturday in Abuja.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the ministry was strengthening protective measures in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and safety of every citizen.

She said that community reports showed that eight out of every ten GBV cases involved minors, warning that technology is increasingly being used to harm women and girls.

The minister commended law enforcement agencies and development partners for supporting justice for survivors. According to her, before legal reforms are completed, protective measures against all forms of digital violence must be strengthened.

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, ex-first lady of Kebbi, commended the ministry’s leadership, emphasising that the global theme “Uniting Against Digital Violence” reflected the urgency of evolving threats.

Ms Shinkafi-Bagudu, who is also the CEO of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, said that the country must adopt a survivor-centred approach and safeguard families, communities and societies.

Also, Senator Ireti Kingibe, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, said that ending GBV and achieving women’s inclusion in governance required collective responsibility.

Ms Kingibe, therefore, urged Nigerian women to demand their space in leadership and public life, noting that violence remained a major barrier to participation.

According to her, the march was simultaneously held across 19 states to empower grassroots communities with knowledge of their rights.

Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, an AIG representing the police, reaffirmed the force’s zero tolerance for GBV.

She highlighted the nationwide Police Women’s Walk and the recent launch of the Nigerian Police GBV Training Manual and Standard Operating Procedure, as measures in place to curb the trend.

(NAN)