SGBV cases surge in Nigeria
Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Sexual and Gender-based Violence remains an ill that continues to cause devastating harm in society and despite the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, advocacies, campaigns and policies geared towards eliminating or reducing it to the barest minimum, recent data obtained by PUNCH Healthwise revealed an alarming rise in number of cases recorded across the country.
The VAPP Act signed into law by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, prohibits any form of violence on persons in private and public life.
The law focuses, among others, on SGBV with clear punishment for perpetrators; redefines rape to include oral and anal sex as well as penetration with objects other than the penis.
It provides compensation for victims by offenders and offers more protection for victims than any other existing Nigerian law.
An investigation by PUNCH Healthwise, however, discovered that despite the VAPP Act, at least 6,142 GBV cases, which include sexual, physical and psychological abuses were reported in various Nigerian states between January and May.
The data obtained by our correspondent from the national gender-based violence dashboard website showed that to date, there have been 43,248 reported cases of GBV with about 2,097 being fatal cases, and the conviction of 636 perpetrators.
The monthly breakdown of GBV cases across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2024 revealed that 74 cases have been recorded so far in May, with 941 cases in April, while March saw a significant spike with 1,904 cases.
Meanwhile, there were 1,553 and 1,670 reported cases in February and January, respectively.
A further search by PUNCH Healthwise on the website revealed that Akwa Ibom state has the highest number of reported cases, with a staggering 2,987 GBV incidents, while Benue and Cross Rivers followed closely behind with 710 and 507 cases, respectively.
The breakdown of the data shows that Akwa Ibom with a total of 2,987 reported GBV cases in five months had 673 in January, 826 in February, 1,000 in March, 460 in April, and 28 in May.
Benue which came second on the list has a total of 710 reported GBV cases with 162 recorded in January, 96 in February, 257 in March, 164 in April, and 31 in May.
Cross Rivers came third with a total of 507 reported cases with 81 recorded in January, 145 in February, 251 in March, 29 in April, and 1 in May.
Lagos was the fourth on the list with 279 reported cases, which include 102 in January, 100 in February, and 49 in March, while only two have been reported so far in May.
Abuja came fifth with 242 cases, and had 88 in January, 67 in February, 61 in March, and 26 in April, with no case recorded so far in May.
Other states with significant numbers include Ebonyi (229 cases), Edo (194 cases), Nassarawa (182 cases), Niger (153 cases), and Kaduna (119 cases).
Osun reported 89 cases, while Ondo recorded 87 incidents and Bayelsa, 53.
Also, Oyo and Ogun each reported 52 cases, while Abia and Kwara had 40 cases each, with Kano reporting 34 GBV incidents.
Taraba reported 18 cases, Plateau had 17 and Sokoto, 12.
Delta and Gombe reported 10 and nine cases, respectively, while Kogi had seven incidents.
Imo recorded six cases, while Anambra and Imo each had four cases.
Adamawa and Ekiti each reported 2 cases, and Yobe only had one incident.
Interestingly, some states had no record of reported GBV cases during this period and they include Bauchi, Borno, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
‘Awareness still low in some states’
Experts, however, expressed concern that the low number of reported cases, or perhaps none at all may be due to underreporting or a lack of awareness on GBV in some areas.
They noted that disparities in state-level reporting mechanisms and awareness campaigns may also contribute to the variations in GBV cases among different states.
According to them, this suggests that many Nigerians remain unaware of their rights and the resources available to them in cases of GBV.
In states with lower reported cases, such as Yobe, Adamawa, Ekiti, and others, experts emphasised the need for targeted awareness campaigns and improved access to support services.
They stressed that increasing public knowledge of GBV prevention, reporting and available resources is essential to combat this alarming trend.
A Psychologist, Ayo Ogunsiji said, “As the need for stronger GBV prevention and response mechanisms becomes increasingly evident, the government must invest in comprehensive, nationwide awareness initiatives.
“Improved data collection, public awareness campaigns, and capacity building for law enforcement agencies are crucial steps to address GBV and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
“Addressing the issue of low SGBV awareness in some states is critical to creating a safer and more supportive environment for victims and preventing further incidents of violence.”
On her part, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi lamented that despite cases that are being reported, a lot of cases go unreported.
She identified a lack of access to information and awareness of support services as key factors responsible for the low level of reported cases in many states.
“The truth is that despite the cases that are being reported, a lot of cases are unreported. So, variously, there’s a lack of information, lack of access to information, lack of awareness of support services that exist, that people can take advantage of, and there is also a lack of information about these issues.
“Some people think, for instance, that domestic violence is just physical abuse. Meanwhile, we know that that’s just one form of violence
“Gone are the days where we want to monopolise services, where we want services to be central access to justice, access to services. We must make it easily accessible, bring access to services to this just set of people, whilst maintaining utmost professionalism,” she noted
Domesticating VAPP Act
Findings by PUNCH Healthwise showed that 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 to curb incessant cases of violence across states.
According to the VAPP tracker, an application by Partners West Africa Nigeria monitoring the progress of the act across the 36 States and FCT, 33 have passed and domesticated the law.
Kano is yet to pass the bill at the state assembly, while the Taraba governor is yet to assent to the bill to domesticate the law in his state.
The tracker noted that Lagos and Ekiti states have Protection Against Domestic Violence Law and Gender Based Violence Prohibition Law.
Experts, however, lamented that awareness and implementation remain low, leaving many Nigerians vulnerable to GBV.
They stressed that this underscores the urgent need for stronger prevention and response mechanisms across the country.
Meanwhile, Vivour-Adeniyi, said many state governors lack the political will to implement the VAPP Act.
The Lagos DSVA Executive Secretary, however, noted that different states in the country are making efforts to reduce the trend of GBV.
She added, “I truly believe that one of the reasons why we have been able to make some modest achievements in Lagos is because of the political will, in terms of providing response or preventing SGBV.
“There must be political will to address sexual and gender issues and not just sexual and gender-based violence. There must be political will to be able to do things generally. There must be power and commitment to reform issues.
“And don’t forget that when we’re talking about sexual and gender issues, we’re talking about norms, culture. We are all a product of our socialisation. We didn’t get here overnight. Right? Yeah. So it’s going to take some time as well to reverse the trend.
“I am privileged to work with other states and I see the progress that is being made.
“Just recently, the President, and Her Excellency, the First Lady of Nigeria launched the ‘We are equal’ campaign and I think the second pillar is on gender-based violence and gender equality.
“So, you know these are things that would encourage other states to take this is as an issue that is at that level where the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is speaking about an issue that is not a respecter of states, age, class, creed. No society can say they are immune from this vicious menace.”
She added, “Are we where we are supposed to be? Maybe not but I don’t think that we are where we used to be. I mean, I think we as a country,
“We need to continue to create awareness and continue to advocate for the implementation of relevant policies.
“States that don’t have the relevant laws, we encourage them to legislate and enact it. For states that have the relevant laws, we encourage them to ensure full implementation of the law.
“And I believe that if we continue with this momentum, especially with the support of the non-governmental organisations, I believe that we will be able to get to that place where all states will be able to boast of zero tolerance.”
Corroborating her stance, the psychologist said the data released by the federal government on its website emphasises the ineffectiveness of the VAPP Act in addressing GBV across Nigeria and protecting victims.
He said, “Disparities in state-level reporting mechanisms and awareness campaigns may also contribute to variations in GBV cases among different states.
“Awareness and implementation remain low, and these have left many Nigerians vulnerable to GBV.
“The slow progress in implementing the VAPP Act is a significant concern.
“There are many Nigerians who remain unaware of their rights and the resources available to them in cases of GBV.
“Government must prioritise comprehensive, nationwide awareness initiatives, improved data collection, public awareness campaigns, and capacity building for law enforcement agencies are crucial steps to address GBV and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
“Addressing the issue of low awareness and implementation of the VAPP Act is critical to creating a safer and more supportive environment for victims and preventing further incidents of violence across the country.”
What we are doing to reduce GBV cases – Lagos
Speaking on efforts to reduce and prevent GBV cases in Lagos State, Vivour-Adeniyi said the state adopted a two-thong approach which includes prevention and providing immediate support to GBV survivors.
She said the state records more than 200 reported GBV cases monthly.
The DSVA Executive Secretary added that the state is doing everything to prevent reoccurrence of GBV, while also offering holistic support for survivors.
She added, “People may say, you cannot completely prevent GBV, but we can reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. What we do, in essence, is adopt a two-formed approach.
“Let me start with efforts we have made in response. In the unfortunate instance that the case has happened, we ensure that the whole referral pathway is activated.
“What that means is survivors, as you would agree, require a multidisciplinary and various services. They require medical, legal, psychosocial, counselling, rescue and sometimes, empowerment. And of course, access to justice. We ensure we provide all these for the survivors.
“In terms of domestic violence, the response is not so straightforward because, you know we’re dealing with adults, and when it involves adults in domestic violence, environment and relationships, we try to do what the survivor wants within the ambit of the law.
“Long and short of the story, we strive to make sure that when survivors report, they can access holistic support.”
On efforts to prevent the reoccurrence of GBV cases, Vivour-Adeniyi stated, “In terms of prevention, which we are very heavy on. What we’ve tried to do is use data to drive policymaking. The data that we’ve been keeping for the past five, six, and seven years has helped us to identify local governments with high prevalence. It has helped us to conduct surveys and commission research to understand society’s perception of these issues.
“And so with the information gathered, we’re now able to programme scientifically.
“What we’ve done is to map out the different stakeholders in the society. We’re looking at children, young people, adults, and community leaders. We’re looking at religious clerics, traditional rulers, men and women. We’re also looking at how to mainstream gender equality and discrimination. How can we mainstream that into the different sectors for sustainability purposes.”
She added that the government is leveraging introducing issues like gender-based violence, gender equality, gender equity, patriarchy, masculinity, and femininity into the education institution for sustainability purposes.
Vivour-Adeniyi added, “Another one we’re doing is we’re engaging the registrars on marriages, as well as the churches and the mosques to introduce compulsory premarital counselling, compatibility tests and issues of gender-based violence during the compulsory counselling.
“Why is this? Again, research has shown that at least, 60 per cent of the survivors saw the signs of domestic violence during courtship. But for whatever reason, perhaps they didn’t understand the enormity of what they were dealing with, and for whatever reason, they chose to go ahead with the relationship.
“Another area we’re looking at is, from the preventive lens, to work closely with the traditional rulers. We are going to their kingdoms. They are inviting us to their kingdoms. We are engaging the populace on these issues, empowering them with information, more importantly, empowering them with information as the services that exist in their communities,” she stressed.
SGBV remains a critical issue – A’Ibom
The Executive Director of Community Stakeholder for Social Good in Akwa Ibom, Mmanti Umoh, admitted that the situation of GBV remains critical in the state, with a significant number of cases reported.
She, however, said the Akwa Ibom State Government has implemented several strategies to combat and reduce the incidents of GBV, including the adoption of the VAPP Act.
Umoh explained that the state is using a multi-sectoral approach by forming a gender-based violence management committee, chaired by the First Lady of the state, and comprising members from various ministries, NGOs, law enforcement agencies, and community representatives.
She added that the state government has established sexual assault referral centres in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, and Eket; and created a 66-bed shelter and Skills Acquisition Center for survivors of SGBV.
She added that the government has upgraded the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit to a full department within the Ministry of Justice, provides legal support, and ensures adherence to the Administration of Criminal Justice Law for GBV cases.
Umoh further stated, “The government has translated the VAPP Law into four indigenous Languages. We also embarked on community engagements, sensitisations, and advocacy visits, and published a Training Manual on GBV for schools.
“The government is working with NGOs and other agencies to provide interventions for survivors. We also created Male Advocates ‘HeForShes’, and the introduction of community bylaws and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms for selected GBV offences.
“The VAPP Act has been instrumental in addressing GBV in Akwa Ibom State by providing a legal framework for the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators. It has empowered the state to take decisive action against various forms of GBV to ensure justice for victims.
“The establishment of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit, which was upgraded to a full Department, further underscores the state’s commitment to the effective implementation of the VAPP Act.”
When asked how the VAPP Act has helped in reducing GBV cases in the state, Umoh said convictions have increased.
She added that the legal system in the state has been able to provide comprehensive support to survivors, including legal, medical, and psychological assistance.
She added, “The continuous efforts by the Akwa Ibom State Government, under the leadership of Barr. Emem Ette, Secretary of the AKSGBV Management Committee, and with the support of various agencies are pivotal in changing the narrative and reducing GBV incidents in the state.
“The ongoing commitment and proactive measures taken by the government demonstrate a robust response to combating GBV, serving as a model for other regions.”
On how the government is engaging with stakeholders, she explained, “The Akwa Ibom State Government recognises the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. Engaging stakeholders from various sectors, including community leaders, businesses, educational institutions, and technology providers, is crucial for a holistic and sustained impact.
“The government is conducting extensive awareness campaigns at the grassroots level to educate the public about the signs, consequences, and legal ramifications of SGBV. These campaigns are tailored to local contexts and delivered in indigenous languages such as Ibibio, Annang, Eket, and Oron to ensure broader reach and comprehension.
“Regular community meetings and forums are organised to engage local leaders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth representatives. These forums serve as platforms for discussing SGBV issues, sharing best practices, and reinforcing community norms against violence.
“Collaborations with local businesses are being fostered to create employment opportunities for SGBV survivors. Businesses are encouraged to offer internships, apprenticeships, and job placements, which can help survivors rebuild their lives and achieve economic stability.
“The state provides access to microfinance and small grants to support survivors in starting their businesses. This financial support is coupled with business training and mentorship to ensure sustainability and success.”
She stated that the state government is integrating SGBV education into school curriculums through the publication of a training manual on GBV.
She explained that this initiative aims to raise awareness among students and educators, fostering a culture of respect and zero tolerance for violence from an early age.
“Leveraging technology, the state has set up digital platforms and hotlines for reporting SGBV incidents. These platforms ensure confidentiality and provide immediate assistance to survivors. Additionally, real-time data on the National Sexual Offenders Database and the National Dashboard on Gender-Based Violence help in tracking and managing cases effectively.
“Programmes to enhance digital literacy among community members are being implemented. These programmes aim to equip individuals with the skills needed to access online resources, report incidents, and seek support services.
“Through these comprehensive and multi-sectoral strategies, the Akwa Ibom State Government is not only addressing immediate SGBV issues but also working towards long-term cultural and societal change. By engaging community stakeholders and creating opportunities for dignified labour, the state aims to build a safer and more equitable society for all its residents,” she assured.
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