Gender-Based Violence In Nigeria: A Growing Crisis Requiring Urgent Action

Gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria has reached an alarming level, affecting wom­en, men, and children across all regions. From domestic violence and rape to human trafficking, these crimes are not just issues of outsiders but are now entrenched within families. Fathers, stepfathers, uncles, teachers, and caregivers have increasingly been arrested and jailed for defilement and other forms of abuse. The persistence of GBV is driven by factors such as deeply entrenched patriarchy, economic chal­lenges, and cultural norms, all contrib­uting to the devaluation of human life in Nigeria.

“You are not fit to live among ci­vilised people” – those were the words of Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court as he sentenced a bricklayer, Ga­briel Awaye to two life imprisonments for defiling a 13-year-old girl in his room.

Justice Soladoye, on another in­stance said to one Ifeanyi Ndieze, an­other sexual offender, who sexually assaulted a four-year-old in church: “Your behavior is unforgivable.” The cases cited above and many more have become a worrisome trend in Nigeria as the rise in gender-based violence becomes alarming and fearfully on the increase.

The Role of Lagos State in Fighting GBV

Lagos State has taken significant steps to address this growing issue. On September 20, 2021, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed into law the establish­ment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and the creation of the Sex Offenders Register. This agency, managed by Executive Secretary Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, was given a clear mandate to coordinate responses to incidents of domestic and sexual violence across the state.

However, despite these efforts, Lagos, which is ranked as the 19th best city to visit globally, has seen a shocking in­crease in sexual and gender-based vio­lence over the past five years.

Statistics show a steady rise in reported cases, from 3,446 in 2019 to 6,389 in 2023. A total of 24,009 cases, including sexual, physical, and psy­chological abuses, were reported in all 20 Local Government Areas between January 2019 and December 2023. This demonstrates a persistent escalation of GBV-related incidents in the state.

In response, the DSVA now handles an average of 300 new cases of sexual and domestic violence every month. Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi revealed this during a recent symposium titled, “Are We Doing Enough? A Consideration of Lagos State’s Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Last De­cade”. She emphasised that since the formation of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, and its transformation into a statutory agency in 2021, there has been prog­ress in breaking the culture of silence surrounding GBV. More victims are now stepping forward to report both formally and informally.

A Society’s Systemic Problem

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, a prominent female rights advo­cate and Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), expressed deep con­cern over the rise in rape cases. She strongly condemned rape as an unjustifiable act that society must never tolerate. According to her, the notion that dressing is the cause of rape is deeply flawed, as even children have become fre­quent victims. Dr. Akiyode-Afo­labi pointed to a systemic failure, where the language and process­es used by institutions are often unsupportive of victims. Fur­thermore, some religious and community leaders perpetuate the problem by seeking leniency for perpetrators.

Adding to this, human rights activist, Dare Folarin, highlight­ed the need for more awareness cam­paigns, improved access to justice, and better support services for survivors. Folarin stressed that the data from La­gos underscores the urgency for a com­prehensive approach to tackling sexual and gender-based violence in the state. He urged the government to take deci­sive steps to address what he termed a “growing epidemic.”

A Call for Collective Action

Addressing the intertwined issues of GBV, sexual immorality, and the gener­al devaluation of human life in Nigeria requires concerted efforts from various sectors. The government must work alongside civil society, religious institu­tions, and individuals to rebuild a culture that respects human dignity and upholds the sanctity of life. A systemic overhaul of the justice system is also essential to ensure that perpetrators are held ac­countable and that survivors receive the necessary support and protection.

The escalating rates of gender-based vi­olence demand urgent action. Promoting justice, moral accountability, and the protec­tion of human rights is critical to reversing this dangerous trend. The time to act is now, before more lives are irreparably damaged by the scourge of GBV in Nigeria.

As gender-based violence continues to rise in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, efforts to combat the crisis must be amplified. Strong legal frameworks, community engagement, and cultural shifts are essential to address the root causes of these issues. Only by working together can society begin to reverse the growing tide of violence and create a safer environment for all Nigerians.