Nigeria’s traditional rulers and religious leaders have been urged to take an active role in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the country.
The United Nations Women Deputy Representative, Dr. Nesreen El-Nolla, made this appeal in Abuja during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence event.
The annual programme, organised in collaboration with Magdala Unity Foundation (MUF), was themed “UNiTE to Eliminate Violence Against Women.”
Speaking at the event, Dr El-Nolla lamented over the prevalence of SGBV in Nigeria, saying one in every three women in Nigeria suffers some form of violence.
She said this is despite significant progress such as the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, underscoring the need to do more to end violence against women.
The UN women Deputy Representative highlighted the critical role of traditional and religious leaders, alongside male allies, in advocating for and protecting the rights of women and girls.
Speaking, President of Magdala Unity Foundation, Ambassador Victoria Bola Ihesiulor, noted the event’s goal of dismantling barriers preventing women and girls from achieving their potential.
While advocating for collaboration among organizations to build a strong network supporting women’s welfare, she noted that women continue to face systemic inequalities, limited political participation, and the scourge of gender-based violence.
The workshop aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of SGBV, address its root causes, and promote sustainable solutions through education on legal frameworks to combat violence.