The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has revealed that over 30,000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were officially reported to her Ministry between 2020 and 2024.
Speaking at a knowledge-sharing session in Abuja on Tuesday, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice and UN Women with support from the Ford Foundation, the Minister—represented by Mrs. Adesuwa Ogundaye, Director of Legal Services—expressed concern over the growing prevalence of GBV in the country.
Citing data from the Ministry’s Gender-Based Violence Data Situation Room Report, she noted that one in every three Nigerian women has experienced some form of violence, calling the figures not only alarming but deeply tragic.
“These are not just numbers—they represent shattered lives, broken dreams, and trauma that spans generations,” she said.
While acknowledging that 35 states have adopted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015, and all 36 states have adopted the Child Rights Act of 2003, she lamented the significant gap between law and effective implementation.
“In many states, critical elements like funding, enforcement, and public awareness are either insufficient or entirely missing,” she said. “Survivors are still faced with underfunded justice systems that are either insensitive or inaccessible.”
To address these challenges, she called for nationwide efforts to educate communities, strengthen law enforcement and judicial capacity, and ensure laws are fully operationalized and impactful.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also proposed the creation of a National Social Protection Agency dedicated to supporting GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups. She said the agency would coordinate emergency shelters, mental health support, medical care, economic reintegration programs, and legal assistance to ensure that “no survivor is left behind.”
