Sexual, gender-based violence: CSOs demand enhanced prevention, response structures

In a bid to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria, civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for a more robust preventative and response structures in the country.

The call followed a survey by KASA, an Initiative which is a campaign against sexual and gender-based violence, funded by the African Women Development Fund (AWDF) through White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) Kenya.

Addressing newsmen via a virtual media briefing, the group said they have engaged over 5,000 women, girls and vulnerable people across four states in Nigeria, who are victims of sexual violence.

The representative of the African Women Development Fund, Christy Asala, said the data obtained from the survey is of great concern.

She said: “The data that we observed from the survey is a source of concern because the numbers are enormous and during the listening session, the respondents were able to share from their experiences, what happened to them, or a relative that has been sexually abused.

“Among the 5,426 respondents, about 47 percent disclosed that they had experienced sexual violence.

“We might have a lot of elders coming out to speak up because at that point they have nothing to lose. The perpetrator can tell them, ‘If you talk I will kill you, I will harm you’ , but when you bring them to a safe space they begin to talk, so there is a need for a peaceful environment for them to open up to you.”

She urged stakeholders in the gender sector to always create a safe environment where survivors can share personal experiences.

According to her, during the survey conducted in four states, further analysis of age-specific data brought to light varying prevalence rates.

“Those above 60 years reported a 61 percent incidence, while respondents aged 21-30, 31-40, and 41-50 faced a shared rate of 51 percent. Respondents aged 51-60 encountered a 49 percent Prevalence, and individuals aged 10-20 revealed a troubling 39 percent exposure to sexual violence,” she noted.

Also speaking, the Research Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Charles Jang, disclosed that 61 percent of the respondents are above age 60 while 39 per cent of respondents are from age 10 to 20.

He said less data from ages 10-20 is a result of a lack of knowledge of sexual violence and people being afraid due to the environment.

“We need to improve the magnitude of the result at the state level. A whole lot of people are trying to break the culture of silence, but at the point where they will come and report, the procedure is not followed till the end.

“It is either the Ministry of Justice is not meeting up or the police force is defaulting,” Jang said.