By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria kick starts the 16 Days of Activism, the World Bank, WB, said it has set aside $ 540 million out of the $17 billion portfolio for Gender-Based Violence, GBV, to support Nigeria in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and to achieve gender equality.
World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiame Diop disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the flag-off of activities in commemoration of 2024, 16 Days of Activism on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in Nigeria.
Diop said, ” We are investing heavily in women’s economic empowerment. And so we have a $540 million operation through which we hope to support and continue to support the ambition of the government of Nigeria to achieve gender equality and address gender-based violence prevention and response.”
Diop disclosed that the Work Bank today has a portfolio of nearly $17 billion for GBV prevention and response.
He lamented that the economic costs of gender-based violence has eroded at least 15% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
“When people experience gender-based violence, they are unable to go to work. So that’s man-hours lost. Sometimes people are unable to go to school.”
He decried the prevalence of GBV amid gender equality in Nigeria adding that, ” It’s a shame that we’re still having 16 days of activism to try to address gender-based violence.”
The World Bank Country Director noted, “When people experience gender-based violence, they are unable to go to work. So that’s man-hours lost. Sometimes people are unable to go to school.”
The UN Women Nigeria Country Representative, Ms Beatrice Eyong stated that GBV emphasizes that violence against women is a human rights violence.
Eyong said, “So we have to make noise about it. Because if the human rights defenders cannot speak, it therefore means violence against women will continue its way.”
She highlighted the prevalence of GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic period resulting in a surge of 100% reported GBV cases in key states.”
“43% of girls are married before the age of 18 despite legal prohibitions. 20% of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have undergone female genital mutilation, with prevalence as high as 62% in some states.”
” 42.7% of women are financially excluded compared to 35.8% of men, while women hold less than 5% of elected positions.”
“I think the questions people will be asking is, why are we laying so much emphasis on gender-based violence? They will say, it’s just a man beating his wife. But I want to state on the table that gender-based violence is everywhere, and gender-based violence is not good for neither the men nor the women, she stated.
The UNFPA noted that the 2024 16 days of activism on Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, presents an opportunity for the world to reflect on the evolving nature of gender-based violence and its effects on victims.
The UNFPA called on people everywhere to stop violence in our homes, in our schools, in our communities and on digital social environments.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman- Ibrahim said that the 16 Days of Activism is an opportunity to renew commitments and take deliberate action to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Nigeria.
“Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal issue, a human rights issue, and an impediment to our nation’s development.”
The growing trend of GBV is unacceptable and represents a gross violation of human rights, preventing women and girls from achieving their full potential and hinders the nation’s progress and inclusive development .
Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal issue, a human rights issue, and an impediment to our nation’s development.
She called on the media to amplify the voices of survivors using their platforms, by ensuring perpetrators are held accountable and avoid victim blaming.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Gabriel Aduda called for interventions for GBV victims such as empowering Survivors beyond prevention. To ensure that they get support to heal and rebuild their lives . Enable them have access to justice, healthcare, psychosocial support and safe spaces.
Daybreak reports that the ministry of women Affairs kick started the 2024 ,16 Days of Activism with
