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Tag: Gender-Based Violence

  • Kogi First Lady Urges Unity Against Gender-Based and Online Violence

    Kogi First Lady Urges Unity Against Gender-Based and Online Violence

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called on youths and residents to promote responsible use of digital platforms and combat gender-based violence. The appeal was made on Monday during a sensitization programme at Government House, Lokoja, marking the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Hajia Ododo emphasized that the campaign aims to tackle both physical and digital forms of abuse targeting women and girls. “Violence—whether physical, emotional, or online—destroys families. Citizens must reject all forms of abuse while prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of their families,” she said.

    Highlighting the theme of this year’s campaign, she noted the growing threat of digital violence and urged citizens to use Information and Communication Technology responsibly. She called on parents, particularly mothers, to monitor their children’s online and offline activities closely.The First Lady further stressed the Kogi State Government’s commitment to safeguarding women and children by ensuring equal access to education, supporting girls’ and women’s participation in policy-making, and strengthening empowerment initiatives. She also encouraged women and girls to break the silence, report digital abuse, and use online platforms wisely.

    Reinforcing the call, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade (PhD), and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Acharu Okpanachi, affirmed the government’s unified stance against violence targeting women and girls. Several speakers also emphasized the importance of gathering evidence, such as screenshots, to strengthen legal action against perpetrators.The programme included a morning road walk led by Hajia Ododo and other dignitaries, mobilizing women and girls across Lokoja to raise awareness about stopping violence in homes and communities across Kogi State and Nigeria.Through these initiatives, the Kogi State Government continues to promote a culture of accountability, safety, and digital responsibility, reinforcing the need for collective action in protecting women and girls.

  • Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Rural Nigeria: Pathways to Equality and Peace

    Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Rural Nigeria: Pathways to Equality and Peace

    By Raliat Abdulkadir

    ABUJA – Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in rural Nigeria, driven by unequal power relations, rigid gender norms, and deeply rooted cultural practices. While women and girls are disproportionately affected, men and boys can also be victims of gender-related harm.

    GBV occurs in both private and public spaces—ranging from homes and schools to workplaces and community gatherings. The major forms include physical, sexual, emotional, economic violence, and harmful traditional practices, all of which hinder social progress and peacebuilding in rural areas.

    Forms of Gender-Based Violence

    Physical violence involves acts that cause bodily harm through unlawful force, including assault, confinement, and, in severe cases, manslaughter. Sexual violence encompasses any non-consensual sexual act such as rape or sexual assault, while emotional or psychological violence involves coercion, defamation, threats, or verbal abuse that cause mental distress.

    Harmful Traditional Practices and Gender Roles

    In many rural communities, entrenched traditions continue to reinforce gender inequality. Women are often judged by their ability to bear sons, denied leadership roles, and restricted to domestic responsibilities. Practices such as **early and child marriage** persist, limiting girls’ access to education and career opportunities.

    Decision-making within households often rests solely with men, guided by cultural or religious norms that perpetuate women’s dependency. These practices not only restrict women’s autonomy but also undermine community development.

    – Economic Inequality as a Form of Violence

    Economic violence manifests through systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in education, employment, and leadership. Gender stereotypes dictate career paths—men in engineering and politics, women in teaching and caregiving—thereby reinforcing income gaps.

    Women are frequently underpaid, overlooked for promotions, and underrepresented in decision-making positions. Moreover, girls are often withdrawn from school earlier than boys, diminishing their chances of economic independence and perpetuating cycles of poverty and subordination.

    Strategies to Address Gender-Based Violence

    Combating GBV in rural Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach. Key strategies include:

    – Education and Retention of Girls:

    Partnering with parents and communities to eliminate barriers such as school fees, long distances, and safety concerns.

    – Vocational and Life Skills Training:
    Equipping both boys and girls with diverse skills to reduce gender-limited career paths.

    – School-Based Equality Programs:
    Integrating gender equality into curricula and forming mentorship clubs that promote respect, leadership, and equal opportunity.

    – Legal Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing laws against child marriage, domestic violence, and gender discrimination.

    – Grassroots-Government Collaboration: Linking rural women’s groups with local councils to influence decision-making and policy development.

    -“Partnerships with NGOs: Working with women’s associations, farmers’ cooperatives, and youth groups to expand the reach of advocacy and support services.

    Conclusion
    Deconstructing gender-based violence in rural Nigeria demands sustained commitment through education, legal reform, economic empowerment, and cultural transformation. True change requires shifting both individual attitudes and institutional structures that perpetuate inequality.

    By addressing these systemic issues, Nigeria can foster peacebuilding, social justice, and sustainable development across its rural communities.

  • Benue State First Lady leads walk against Gender-Based Violence

    Benue State First Lady leads walk against Gender-Based Violence

    Benue State First Lady, Dr Mrs Eunice Ortom led a walk through the streets of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to create awareness against gender-based violence in the state.

    She led the walk on Thursday, Dec 10, as part of activities to mark the closing ceremony of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

    The march ended at a hotel where a dissemination meeting was held.

    Speaking at the meeting, Dr Mrs Ortom warned that the people must not take the end of the 16 Days of Activism period as the end of the fight against gender-based violence.

    She added: “This is rather the time to build on the observations and experiences of the period in order to be more determined and committed to ending GBV in Benue State.”

    This comes days after Dr. Eunice and her husband, Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, reconciled domestic violence victim, Dr. Ifeyinwa Angbo with her abusive husband, Pius Angbo.

    See Photos;

    Benue First Lady leads walk against gender-based violence days after she and husband reconciled Pius Angbo and wife without making him face the consequences
    Benue First Lady leads walk against gender-based violence days after she and husband reconciled Pius Angbo and wife without making him face the consequences
    Benue First Lady leads walk against gender-based violence days after she and husband reconciled Pius Angbo and wife without making him face the consequences
    Benue First Lady leads walk against gender-based violence days after she and husband reconciled Pius Angbo and wife without making him face the consequences