The United Nations in Nigeria has renewed its call to end violence against women and girls, urging stakeholders to dismantle harmful cultural norms and strengthen accountability mechanisms. This appeal was made during the Joint UN Accountability Forum and Orange Lighting Ceremony in Abuja, themed “Towards Beijing+30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Nesreen El-Molla, UN Women Deputy Representative to Nigeria, emphasized the socio-economic impact of gender-based violence (GBV), noting that each statistic represents a life disrupted. She called for collaborative efforts with traditional leaders, faith leaders, the private sector, and communities to foster gender equality and protect women’s rights.
“Today’s event is a call to action to build a Nigeria free from violence against women and girls,” El-Molla said. “Through partnerships and advocacy, we can reshape harmful narratives and uphold universal human rights.”
Key highlights of the event included the launch of the Beijing+30 Report, which evaluated progress on gender equality in Nigeria and identified areas for improvement. The Orange Lighting Ceremony symbolized unity and hope for a violence-free future.
The forum also spotlighted the need for gender-disaggregated data to design effective interventions. Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stressed the economic case for gender equality, stating, “Closing gender gaps could add $15 trillion to Nigeria’s GDP annually by 2050. Effective resource allocation in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment is critical.”
Vanessa Phala-Moyo, Country Director for the International Labour Organisation, lauded Nigeria’s ratification of the ILO Convention Against Violence and Harassment, marking a milestone in workplace safety reforms.
The event reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting survivors through expanded services, policy reforms, and community outreach. Stakeholders reaffirmed their resolve to achieve a more equitable Nigeria where women and girls live free from violence and fear.
