Nigeria Launches 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Calls for Unified Action
Maryam Aminu
In a resounding call to action, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has kickstarted the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a passionate plea to unite efforts in eradicating violence against women and girls across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on November 25, 2024, the Minister emphasized the campaign’s theme, “Unite Campaign: Towards Beijing to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” as a rallying cry to reawaken commitments made nearly 30 years ago during the historic Beijing Declaration.
A Nation’s Call for Change
“Gender-based violence is not inevitable; it is preventable,” declared Sulaiman-Ibrahim,
underscoring the urgency of tackling a crisis that continues to devastate lives across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Citing troubling statistics, she revealed that 30% of Nigerian women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence.
She described these acts as “gross violations of human rights” that undermine the nation’s development and the dignity of its people.
“Renewed Hope” Backed by Leadership
The Minister lauded the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose “Renewed Hope Agenda” serves as a beacon for driving initiatives that protect women and children.
“Their steadfast resolve gives us hope that we can accelerate progress,” she noted, thanking them for entrusting her with the Ministry’s pivotal role at this critical juncture.
Uniting Voices, Strengthening Laws
With a multi-sectoral strategy, the Ministry plans to deepen community mobilization and education while collaborating with traditional and religious leaders to challenge harmful cultural norms. “Domestication of laws is a good start, but effective implementation is critical,” she asserted, praising the final domestication of the Child Rights Act by Bauchi State, which now brings all 36 states on board.
She also commended the 35 states that have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, urging consistent enforcement. 
As part of the campaign’s initiatives, the Minister highlighted the existing 47 Sexual Assault Referral Centres across 22 states and the FCT, which provide free medical, counseling, and support services.
Plans are underway to expand these centers nationwide while establishing psychosocial support hubs for survivors. “Survivors need more than justice; they need hope and opportunities to rebuild their lives,” she added.
Engaging Men and Boys as Allies
Acknowledging the need for a cultural shift, the Minister called on men and boys to champion positive masculinity and challenge patriarchal norms. “This is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal issue that demands collective action,” she urged.
The campaign will feature events such as school outreach programs, workshops, rural empowerment initiatives, and an awareness walk to the National Assembly.
The orange-themed UNiTE campaign symbolizes optimism and a brighter future free from violence.
As Nigeria marches toward the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration in 2025, Sulaiman-Ibrahim assured the public that her Ministry would remain steadfast in coordinating policies that uphold gender equality.
Earlier, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, echoed the Minister’s sentiments during the joint press briefing.
He emphasized the importance of empowering survivors, strengthening partnerships, and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.
“Let us move beyond rhetoric,” Aduda charged. “Together, we can create a society that respects, protects, and uplifts every individual, regardless of gender.”
The Minister explained that the 16 Days of Activism is not merely a campaign but a movement for lasting transformation. Sulaiman-Ibrahim concluded, “Violence against women and girls is preventable. It is our collective responsibility to foster a society free from fear, discrimination, and violence. When women and girls thrive, sustainable development is assured.”
As Nigeria stands united under the banner of the Unite Campaign, the call to action reverberates: a brighter, violence-free future for women and girls is within reach, but it requires the unwavering resolve of every stakeholder.
