Every hour, five women or girls lose their lives to intimate partner violence or family-related homicides globally. In 2020 alone, 47,000 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or family members worldwide. This staggering statistic translates to a woman or girl losing her life to violence within her own home every 11 minutes. The situation in Nigeria mirrors this global crisis. Between 2020 and 2023, 27,698 cases of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) were reported. Alarmingly, from January to October this year, an average of 10 women or girls were killed monthly in Nigeria due to their gender. Despite these grim figures, many cases remain hidden due to fear, stigma, or systemic barriers.
Gender-based violence undermines human rights, perpetuates inequality, and hinders the social and economic development of communities. Legal protection for survivors is a fundamental step toward breaking the cycle of abuse, empowering women and girls, and fostering a safer society. Over the past two decades, Nigeria’s legal framework for addressing GBV has evolved significantly. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, enacted in 2015, marked a turning point by providing a comprehensive legal framework to address various forms of violence, including domestic abuse, rape, and harmful traditional practices. Complementary laws such as the Child Rights Act (2003) and state-specific Domestic Violence Prohibition Laws further strengthened this framework.
The VAPP Act is notable for its progressive provisions, which include the criminalization of spousal battery, female genital mutilation (FGM), and harmful widowhood practices. It also introduces protection orders for survivors and establishes penalties for false accusations to maintain credibility in reporting. However, the decentralized nature of Nigeria’s legal system presents significant challenges. The adoption and enforcement of the VAPP Act depend on individual states, leading to disparities in legal protection. As of 2023, about 30 out of 36 states have domesticated the Act. In states where cultural resistance to addressing GBV is high, enforcement remains weak.
Enforcement remains a significant challenge across Nigeria. Many police stations lack dedicated units or trained officers to handle GBV cases. Survivors frequently encounter dismissive attitudes or demands for bribes, which deters them from pursuing justice. Moreover, cultural and societal pressures often discourage survivors from speaking out. In some communities, the need to “protect the family’s honor” silences survivors, while victim-blaming attitudes exacerbate their ordeal. When cases make it to court, delays caused by an overwhelmed judicial system and inadequate legal aid further frustrate survivors.
Nigeria’s GBV laws, while robust in many respects, leave certain forms of violence inadequately addressed. Cyber harassment, including online stalking and revenge porn, is an emerging issue that lacks comprehensive legal provisions. Marital rape remains unrecognized as a crime, leaving many survivors within marriages without legal recourse. Despite the Child Rights Act setting the minimum marriageable age at 18, child marriage persists due to weak enforcement and cultural practices. Loopholes in legal definitions, such as the lack of clarity around psychological violence and economic coercion, further hinder justice for survivors.
Stories like that of Olufunmilayo Mary-Anne Oluwawemimo, a sickle cell warrior allegedly killed after years of domestic abuse, highlight the urgency of reform. Despite her family’s allegations that abuse led to her death, justice remains elusive. Similarly, the tragic cases of Rabi Auwalu, mutilated by her ex-boyfriend; Amdalat Afeez, killed for refusing to loan money to her boyfriend; Zinachukwu Ugwu, a four-year-old victim of ritualistic killing, and Umoren Inibong, a job-seeker killed and buried when she went for an interview, underscore the pervasive nature of GBV and the pressing need for systemic change.
Survivors frequently encounter a lack of support, prolonged legal processes, and societal stigma. These challenges underline the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure survivors of GBV in Nigeria receive the justice and support they deserve. Addressing these barriers requires not only strengthening institutional capacities but also fostering societal change to eliminate stigma and ensure that survivors feel empowered to seek justice.
Closing these gaps requires a multifaceted approach. Improved funding and training for law enforcement, coupled with greater public awareness, are critical steps. Legal reforms must address unresolved issues such as cyber harassment, marital rape and child marriage. Strengthening judicial systems to ensure timely resolution of cases and expanding support systems for survivors, including shelters and counseling services, are equally important. Without addressing these systemic challenges, Nigeria’s legal framework will continue to fall short for many survivors.
Comprehensive legislation addressing critical issues like marital rape and cyber violence, coupled with robust enforcement, is essential to safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Achieving justice for survivors requires more than just laws—it demands coordinated action, public awareness, and a societal commitment to breaking the cycle of violence.
Amid these challenges, advocacy organizations like Document Women and the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) are driving change by raising awareness, providing support, and pushing for legal reforms. Their efforts inspire a new generation of activists and foster a society where survivors feel empowered to seek justice. The fight against GBV is a collective responsibility. Supporting legal reforms, donating to NGOs, spreading awareness, and challenging harmful societal norms are steps everyone can take to contribute to this cause.
While progress is evident, the question remains: Are we doing enough? Achieving justice for survivors of GBV requires systemic reforms that address these challenges head-on. This includes better training for law enforcement, faster judicial processes, and the implementation of robust survivor-centered policies. The fight against GBV demands more than laws—it requires coordinated action, public awareness, and a commitment to changing societal norms that perpetuate violence.
