14% Nigerian women’s experience physical violence, says UN-Women

By Abubakar Yunusa

The United Nations Women, on Wednesday, revealed that 14 percent of women in Nigeria have experienced physical violence across the country.

It also called for collective efforts with other stakeholders to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls in the country.

The UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Beatrice Eyong, disclosed this in Abuja, during a media briefing and Orange Lighting of the UN building, said that the orange came from the fire ignited by the many women groups dedicated to combating violence against women around the world.

She explained that the theme for this year: “United! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” is a clarion call for all.

Eyong said: “We need to work together in unity to deal with this menace in order to achieve a meaningful and sustainable impact. We all need to invest resources, energy and time to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

“In Nigeria, 30 per cent of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 reported having experienced sexual abuse.

“The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey shows that 14 percent of women in Nigeria have experienced physical violence.”

She explained that the event aims to strengthen partnership among UN agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the media, Civil societies, the diplomatic community and development partners.

She noted that the light initiative is integral to the UN Women and the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign, to symbolize a brighter future without violence.

She added, “The Violence Against Persons ‘Prohibition’ Act 2015 was signed into law in Nigeria on 23rd May 2015. The main thrust of the law is to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and for other related matters.

“It is heartening to note that the VAPP Act has been domesticated in almost all states of the federation. We must sustain the momentum by investing resources, establishing and strengthening mechanisms for polarization and effective implementation of the VAPP Act.”