A non-governmental organisation, Public Awareness on Rights and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Persons Initiative, has called for collective efforts among stakeholders to tackle sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

The Executive Director and Founder of PAR-RVPI, Ogechi Ogu made the call in a statement to commemorate the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based violence on Saturday in Abuja.

The 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence is themed “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to end violence against women and girls.”

Ms Ogu said that despite efforts to curb gender-based violence, the menace continued to increase.

She said that women and girls were continually violated by terrorists and bandits.

She quoted a United Nations Women report as saying that 140 women and girls worldwide lost their lives every day at the hands of their partners or a close relative in 2023.

She stated, “A new report by United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women has also revealed that 60 per cent of homicides of women are committed by an intimate partner or other family member. The report further states that globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023. 60 per cent of these homicides which is 51,000- were committed by an intimate partner or other family member. The time to act is now if we must collectively bring to end violence against women and girls, Culture of Impunity which emboldens perpetrators and establish a strong system of accountability for violators of rights of women and girls.’’

She said that as Nigeria celebrates with the global community on the Day Five of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the call to action becomes more imperative.

“This is needed especially in the face of heightened cases of extreme violence against women resulting in their deaths. Women and girls are continually violated and are routinely made victims of terrorism, banditry and other forms of conflicts in society, “she said.

Ms Ogu called on stakeholders to arise and unite in the fight against all practices that promoted violence against women, emphasising that the time to act was now.

She also called for collaboration between governments at all levels and civil society in the establishment and strengthening of mechanisms to address the menace.

She stated, “We call for retrospective action and awakening of the conscience and consciousness of the general public on the need to collectively protect our women. This fight against Gender Based Violence cannot be won by activists alone. We must take strategic steps to educate, enlighten and give voice to potential victims of violence. There must be collaboration between governments at all levels and civil society in the establishment and strengthening of mechanisms to address this menace from the root. It is time to partner with traditional and religious leaders: institutions in the campaign against and the dismantling of stereotypes, discriminations and stigmatisation that enable violence against women.

“The ‘Time is Now,’, we must collectively support and strengthen mechanisms for legislative reforms that can promote inclusion of women in decision making processes and appropriately empower and take them away from positions of vulnerability.’’

She maintained that women should be adequately represented at both the national and state assemblies.

She urged governments at all levels to empower women economically and ensure that laws were not only made to protect the rights of women but that the laws were effectively and efficiently implemented.

She added, “The general public, traditional religious and educational institutions should participate in campaigns against GBV and commit to reporting cases and providing individual and community-based support to survivors.’’

She also stated that survivors and victims should rise above stigmatisation, report cases of violations and speak out against perpetrators.’’

(NAN)