By Favour Ulebor
Abuja-The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, has said the prevalence of sexual violence against women in Nigeria declined from 9 per cent in 2018 to 5 per cent in 2024.
UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, disclosed this during the close out of the Ford Foundation-funded traditional and cultural leaders for ending gender-based Violence by Advancing Advocacy, Policy and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa, LEAP, Project, a three-year initiative implemented by UN Women from 2023 to 2026, on Monday in Abuja.
Eyong, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Representative, Ms. Patience Ekeoba, said the figures are contained in the latest 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which also shows that physical violence against women since the age of 15 declined from 31 per cent in 2018 to 19 per cent in 2024, while intimate partner violence dropped from 36 per cent to 23 per cent.
Eyong said the progress reflected the positive impact of engaging traditional and religious leaders, noting that over the past three years, many of them had become stronger advocates for the rights and dignity of women and girls helping communities reject harmful practices, promote gender equality and strengthen efforts to end gender-based violence.
She added that female genital mutilation also recorded a further decline, with national prevalence reducing from 20 per cent in 2018 to 14 per cent in 2024.
She said: “The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey provides encouraging signs that sustained investments in prevention are contributing to positive change.
“Compared to 2018, sexual violence against women declined from 9 percent to 5 percent. Physical violence since age 15 reduced from 31 percent to 19 percent. Intimate partner violence declined from 36 percent to 23 percent.
“We are equally encouraged by the continued decline in female genital mutilation, with national prevalence reducing from 20 percent in 2018 to 14 percent in 2024.”
Eyong, however, said the findings also showed that more work remained to be done, particularly in strengthening support services for survivors.
She said: “The decline in help seeking among survivors tells us that prevention must be matched with stronger survivor centred services, accessible reporting mechanisms, reduced stigma and greater investments in justice, protection and psychosocial support.”
She also announced that UN Women had secured fresh funding from the Ford Foundation for a new regional programme titled Community Led Advocacy and Digital Spaces for the Safety of Women and Girls in West Africa.
According to her, the initiative will be implemented in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal to address harmful social norms and technology facilitated gender based violence, including online harassment, cyberstalking and image based abuse.
