‘80m girls, women victims of gender-based violence’

Experts have identified holistic approach as solution to growing cases of sexual violence in the country.

This was the submission at a 2-day capacity building training on methods of effective response to sexual and gender-based violence in Abuja.

The training was organised by the CLEEN Foundation, with the support of the Ford Foundation.

The Programme Manager, CLEEN Foundation, Ruth Olofin, said Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) disproportionately affect women and girls; and also affects men and boys.

She said, “If women, girls, men and boys are not safe, they cannot fully participate in the development of their own society.”

Olofin said nearly three in every 10 Nigerian women have experienced physical violence. “Equally disturbing is the NSRPs report which also shows that approximately 80 million Nigerian women and girls are victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria,” she revealed.

She said the incidence is alarmingly at an all-time high owing to the added atrocities brought by the insurgency in the North East, the herders/farmers conflict and other insecurities in the country.

These conflicts have led to mammoth displacements of women and girls, forced and early marriages, kidnapping, physical, mental or sexual assault and sexual slavery, she added.

“One of such laudable efforts is the establishment and institutionalization of sexual assault referral centres and SDVRT Response Teams across the country including the FCT SDVRT Response Team,” she said.

The Technical Assistant to the vice-president on SDG Projects, Hadiza Aminu Dorayi, stated that sexual violence against underage girls, boys and the disabled has become rampant in the society.