The wife of the former Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Erelu Bisi Fayemi has called for urgent, comprehensive strategies and collaborative efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
In a passionate address at the launch of the Womanity Index 2023 Report evaluating the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT on gender-based violence prevention and responses, in Abuja on Monday, Fayemi underscored the significance of investing in women’s and girls’ well-being and called for collective responsibility from governments and stakeholders to address the structural and underlying causes of violence against women in Nigeria.
The Womanity Index 2023 Report, titled “Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response: A Subnational Assessment,” provided a framework for evaluating the commitment of subnational governments in combating SGBV across various indicators.
Fayemi addressed the pervasive nature of SGBV in the country, attributing it to patriarchal norms, gender stereotypes and a culture of impunity. She stressed the importance of implementing and enforcing laws against SGBV, advocating for a unified legal framework and court system to address such cases effectively.
Identifying challenges in implementing GBV laws, Fayemi highlighted issues such as inadequate resources, lack of institutional capacity and coordination gaps. She emphasised the need for care, protection and support services for survivors, including the establishment of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) and shelters.
Fayemi called for multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration, urging the reconstitution of the Presidential SGBV Task Force and strengthening of state GBV coordinating mechanisms. She emphasised the role of communities in combating SGBV, advocating for investments in sensitisation, awareness-raising and community involvement.
Adequate budgeting for SGBV interventions was stressed as a crucial aspect, with Fayemi emphasizing the need for sustained and scaled-up funding through state-specific action plans. She encouraged continuous learning and sharing of best practices among stakeholders involved in the fight against SGBV.
Highlighting the critical role of political will, Fayemi distinguished between states with strong political commitment and others, stressing the importance of actively engaging communities in supporting survivors and promoting the implementation of laws.
The wife of the Kwara State governor, Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq who is also the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum (NIGWF), reiterated the commitment to addressing gender-based violence, measuring the effectiveness of strategies, and collaborating with various stakeholders. She commended initiatives like the Orange Pages and the commitment to updating data as part of ongoing efforts to end sexual and gender-based violence.
Executive director of Invictus Africa, Ms. Bukky Shonibare provided insights into the Womanity Index (GBV) 2023 Report. Lagos State led as a ‘Blue State,’ excelling in laws, legal justice, support services and information/awareness. Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta and Ogun were ranked as ‘Green States.’ The report aims to identify gaps, provide actionable recommendations and serve as a valuable tool for creating a violence-free society.
The 2023 Womanity Index Report launch was organised by Invictus Africa in partnership with BudgIT Foundation and with support from the Ford Foundation. The Womanity Index assesses and ranks subnational governments annually based on their performance in advancing gender equality across various domains. The 2023 edition focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), evaluating states on their commitments to GBV prevention and response based on twenty indicators across five priority areas: laws and policies, access to legal justice, support services, information and awareness, as well as budget and expenditure.
