The U.S. Centres for Disease Control (US-CDC) has emphasized the urgent need for collective efforts to eradicate all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria. Bukola Adewunmi, the CDC’s Gender and GBV Programme Specialist, made the call during a media roundtable on GBV organized in Abuja in collaboration with APIN Public Health Initiatives.
Adewunmi highlighted the severe negative effects of GBV on the health and well-being of survivors, whether psychological, emotional, physical, or economic. She stressed the importance of addressing harmful cultural practices, stereotypes, and promoting gender equality while encouraging people to speak out against violence and support survivors.
The US-CDC is actively partnering with Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice to ensure greater accountability for perpetrators and to expedite the progression of sexual violence cases through the legal system. Adewunmi also called for the integration of gender equality and GBV education into the school curriculum, teaching children about respect, equality, healthy relationships, and how to recognize and report abusive behaviors.
The CDC specialist further reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to combating gender inequality and the adverse effects of GBV, particularly on women and girls. She mentioned that the US-CDC implements targeted strategies to address the interconnected challenges of GBV and HIV, which disproportionately affect women and girls in the country.
Jay Osi Samuels, Deputy CEO of APIN Public Health Initiatives, noted that the collaboration between the US-CDC, APIN, and the Nigerian government represents a major step forward in strengthening the health system and addressing the social determinants of health. The partnership aims to improve service delivery and create safer, more equitable communities. APIN has already reached over 500,000 individuals through its GBV prevention and response programs.
Additionally, APIN has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to join the campaign against GBV. The organization revealed that over 30% of women aged 15-49 in Nigeria have experienced some form of GBV. Dr. Ndubisi Emenogu, APIN’s Technical Officer for Health Systems Strengthening, emphasized that GBV is deeply embedded in cultural and social norms, cutting across geographical and religious boundaries.
During a sensitization program at the NYSC secretariat in Abuja, Emenogu pointed out the health implications of GBV, including unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and even death. Corps members like Jeremiah voiced concerns about the need to protect men from GBV, while others, like Tonna Onwuasoanya, urged the government to establish a system that ensures better protection for victims of GBV.
