Unites to End Gender-Based Violence: 16 Days of Activism Highlights Urgent Call for Action

Abuja, 02 December 2024 – Globally, a woman is killed every 10 minutes, and in 2024, women and girls continue to face fatal violence because of their gender. Women in the public sphere, such as politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, are often targeted through both online and offline violence, with some cases leading to fatal outcomes.

In Nigeria, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM), is deeply rooted in unequal power dynamics and manifests as physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. With approximately 20 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for 10% of the global 200 million survivors and has the third-highest prevalence of FGM worldwide, with the greatest risk occurring during a girl’s first year of life.

More than 60% of women in Nigeria are unable to make autonomous decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, exacerbating their vulnerability to GBV and exploitation.

UNFPA and UNICEF are committed to the global movement to end violence against women and children, which began at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. Since then, the campaign has mobilized governments, organizations, and individuals to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

This year, marking the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the UNiTE campaign emphasizes strengthening accountability for ending violence against women and girls. It calls for concrete actions, including holding perpetrators accountable, implementing well-resourced national strategies, and increasing funding for women’s rights movements.

“UNFPA works daily with the Nigerian government, civil society, and local partners to accelerate progress toward universal human rights in Nigeria. Through our community engagement programs and policy initiatives, we address the root causes of gender-based violence and advocate for accountability,” said Dr. Gifty Addico, UNFPA Representative in Nigeria.

“Every child and every woman deserve to live free from violence. At UNICEF, we are committed to nurturing partnerships that protect their rights, address systemic inequalities, and build a safer, more equitable future. Ending violence is not just a moral imperative, it is critical to achieving sustainable development and prosperity for all,” said Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international civil society-led campaign. It begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day. The campaign underscores that violence against women remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide.

Note to Editors

About the UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme on Elimination of FGM

Since 2014, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs and Health, have been leading the largest global programme on eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation:

In line with Delivering the Global Promise, in Nigeria as well as globally, the Joint Programme supports the development of enabling policies and legal frameworks, access to essential services, girls' and women’s empowerment, and community-led social and gender norms change by working in partnership with governments, civil society, development partners, and communities. In Nigeria, despite some progress, millions of women and girls still lack the fundamental right to live free from violence, make decisions about their bodies, and access essential services.

In Nigeria, over 60% of women are unable to make their own decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health, exacerbating their vulnerability to gender-based violence and exploitation.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/nigeria   

Follow UNICEF Nigeria on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About UNFPA

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the leading international organization that promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

UNFPA works in over 150 countries and territories, providing critical support to governments, communities, and partners in order to improve access to reproductive health services, safeguard women and girls' rights, and address population dynamics for sustainable development.

Follow UNFPA Nigeria on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube