By Ochiaka Ugwu
The German Government through its Envoy in Nigeria, Amb H.E. Annett Gunther, pledged continued support to women and girls in crisis situation within Nigeria and beyond as Norway assumes Global Leadership alongside Nigerian Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen protection for Gender Based Violence in emergencies in Nigeria.
The event held at the Residence of the Ambassador of Norway in Abuja witnessed the handover ceremony from Germany to Norway which marked the end of the tenure of the German government that provided joint leadership alongside the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the period 2023 2024.
However, the government of Norway has joined the Nigerian Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to assume leadership of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender Based Violence in Emergencies in Nigeria for a period of two years (2025 2026) in line with the modalities establishing the programme in Nigeria.
In press statement released in Abuja, it noted that, “During the event, the German Ambassador, H E Annett Gunther, highlighted the impact of the Call to Action as well as the ongoing German commitment.
According to Gunther, “While our tenure as lead has come to an end, Germany remains committed to strengthening efforts to protect women and girls in crisis situations – in Nigeria and beyond. With Norway taking over the lead, the Cail to Action will continue to drive the change for gender mainstreaming in humanitarian action”.
“Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye, also highlighted the impact of the Call to Action since its 2018 inception, and the role of the ministry as Co lead in Nigeria.
“Nigeria remains fully committed to Call to Action. Since its introduction in 2018, it has strengthened multi stakeholder coordination, accountability and localized responses. As co-lead of the strategic task team, the ministry continues to align partners, provide oversight and promote sustainable, community driven solutions.”
“The UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, expressed optimism that with the rotating leadership, the current progress in the six focus areas of the Call to Action will be further consolidated.
“UNFPA reaffirms its full and unwavering commitment to sustaining the momentum we have built together. Strengthening coordination, advancing accountability, and ensuring that GBV prevention and response remain at the centre of humanitarian action.”
“The Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Svein Baera, expressed optimism about an accelerated approach to meeting its commitments to end Gender based Violence, in collaboration with Call to Action partners in the target states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.
“Protection against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in humanitarian emergencies has been high on the Norwegian agenda for years. Call to Action is a unique multi stakeholder structure and an important reminder that we need to join forces, ensuring protection against gender-based violence in emergencies, and response to survivors.”
“The Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies is a global, multi-stakeholder partnership that includes states, donors, international organisations, and international and national NGOs. It seeks to transform humanitarian systems so that preventing and responding to GBV are priorities from the onset of every crisis. In Nigeria, the initiative is led jointly by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development and the Global Lead, which this year is being transferred from Germany (2023-2024) to Norway (2025-2026)” the statement concluded.
Recall that the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies is a global, multi-stakeholder partnership that includes states, donors, international organisations, and international and national NGOs.
It seeks to transform humanitarian systems so that preventing and responding to GBV are priorities from the onset of every crisis.
In Nigeria, the initiative is led jointly by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development and the Global Lead, which this year is being transferred from Germany (2023-2024) to Norway (2025-2026).
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