By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Executive Director of Protect the Child Foundation (PCF), Elizabeth Achimugu, has called on the Kogi State Government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen collaborative strategies to tackle the growing menace of sexual abuse in the state.
Achimugu made the call in Lokoja on Wednesday during the dissemination of the baseline findings on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
“It was also a validation session for simplified versions of the Kogi State Child Rights Law, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019,” she noted.
She revealed that a recent report by the Protect the Child Foundation, supported by the French Embassy, uncovered alarming statistics showing that two out of every five girls in Kogi State have experienced some form of sexual abuse.
According to her, the 2025 research report highlights the increasing prevalence of SGBV across the state, prompting renewed calls for urgent action.
“The study combined both quantitative and qualitative data to expose widespread risks of abuse among adolescents,” Achimugu explained. “Our research shows that while many young girls are aware of SGBV, most lack detailed knowledge of their rights and the available resources for redress.”
She urged religious and community leaders to play active roles in addressing the problem. “Interventions should engage them in reshaping harmful cultural and faith-based norms,” she added.
On girls’ wellbeing, Achimugu identified menstrual hygiene challenges as a major barrier to consistent school attendance, stressing the need to address both material needs and broader social issues.
Also speaking, a data research analyst with PCF, Dorcas Kolade, recommended that schools establish confidential reporting and survivor support mechanisms for cases of bullying and sexual violence.
Kolade further urged policymakers to strengthen the enforcement of SGBV-related laws and implement anti-corruption reforms within the police and judiciary. “We must also invest in sustainable menstrual hygiene supply chains, including reusable pads,” she said.
In their separate remarks, the Chairperson of FIDA Kogi, Oluwakemi Omeiza; the Secretary of the NBA Lokoja Branch, Friday Ekpa; and the Director of Gender-Based Violence at the Ministry of Justice, Atule Stanley, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among government agencies, community leaders, and civil society groups to curb sexual violence in the state.
