Address Delivered at the UN Women/ASWHAN Joint Symposium on Violence Against Women

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY RINSOLA ABIOLA, SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP (AND FOUNDER OF EQUITY NOW INITIATIVE), AT THE UNWOMEN/ASWHAN JOINT SYMPOSIUM ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN ABUJA ON DECEMBER 15, 2023.

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PROTOCOLS.

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1.??? Women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and young people constitute a large majority. For young women, in a society that is both ageist and patriarchal, we suffer the double jeopardy of being both young and female. While we are beginning to record progress in some areas, in others, especially power dynamics and societal constructs, there is still much that needs to be done.

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2.??? Several studies have shown that the situation of women, more so, the average young Nigerian woman, is dire. Violence is something that we are all too familiar with, as many of us can relate to it irrespective of social class, educational attainment levels and even economic strength.

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3.??? Many girls and young women experience extreme violence in different ways. It is a deeply entrenched problem that calls for empathy and action. From physical abuse to sexual assault, the spectrum of violence is wide, and the consequences are severe. In many depressing ways, girls and young women have been compelled to censor themselves and limit their participation in society to the confines of their homes over very real concerns of suffering harm. Sadly, safety is not guaranteed even at home.

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4.??? Statistics show that 1 in 3 Nigerian women have experienced physical violence by age 15, oftenfrom members of their own family who ordinarily should provide safety and comfort. And sometimes, these acts of violence have irreversible, fatal consequences. In 2018, the nation was shocked by news of the death of Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old JSS 1 pupil of the?Federal Government Girls College, Gboko in Benue State, who died from complications linked to alleged serial rape – spanning a period of five years – by her guardian and his son.

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5.??? There have been many other incidents of this nature, and our girls and young women are – without a doubt – in need of every form of protection.

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6.??? Some of the factors contributing to violence against young women in Nigeria are deeply rooted in cultural norms and practices, and in how people are socialised. Our rich and diverse cultural heritage is undoubtedly something to be proud of, but it is important to acknowledge that certain traditions – or the rhetoric around certain practices – perpetuate harmful gender dynamics and reinforce unequal power structures. Such expectations, stereotypes, and discriminatory practices often create an environment where violence against women is tolerated, overlooked or even justified.

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7.??? An example is Intimate Partner Violence, which many young women suffer. This is often underpinned by the notion that once a man has paid the bride price and completed the rites of marriage, then the woman is his to do with as he pleases, and that enduring challenges is an integral part of marriage, even when the “challenge” in this case could cost the woman her life. There have been countless cases of young women murdered by their partners after a well-established history of domestic violence.

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8.??? It is also deeply concerning that in the present age, there are those who still regard the education of the girl-child as a waste since she would be ferried off to a man one day as a wife. In this worldview, a woman is treated as a commodity without intrinsic value or worth, whose rights are to be negotiated and defined by others. This is particularly worrisome as economic inequality is a key driver of violence against women at all levels, and keeping girls out of school does nothing but rob them of the skills required to compete and secure economic opportunities in a quickly advancing world, thus leaving them a lot more vulnerable to gender-based violence through every phase of their lives.

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9.??? As previously highlighted, sexual violence is a major concern for young women and several studies have underscored just how vulnerable we are to harassment and assault. One study conducted in a Nigerian university showed that 39.5% of respondents, women aged 17-24, had experienced sexual violence, and even more worrying was the fact that only 13.1% had sought medical assistance and only 3.3% had gone on to report to the authorities. It should also be noted that in 78.5% of these cases, the perpetrator was well known.

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10.To address the high prevalence of violence against young women, we must embark on a journey of cultural reform, beginning with open dialogues within our communities that challenge harmful traditions and inspire positive change. Education plays a pivotal role in this process, as it empowers individuals to question outdated norms and advocate for change. Initiatives that promote gender equity and inclusivity within educational systems can contribute significantly to dismantling the deeply ingrained biases that fuel violence against women.

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11.Additionally, we must collaborate with community leaders, religious institutions, and local influencers to amplify the message of fair treatment of women and the protection of their rights. By enlisting their support, we can leverage their influence to change societal attitudes, making it clear that violence against women is not acceptable under any circumstances.

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12.While cultural reforms are vital, we also need to address the legal framework surrounding violence against women. Strengthening laws where they are weak – and ensuring effective implementation where they already exist – are crucial steps in the fight against gender-based violence. Nigeria has made notable strides in enacting legislation to protect women, but enforcement remains a challenge.

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13.Advocacy for legal reforms that provide stronger penalties for perpetrators, streamlined processes for reporting and investigating cases, and enhanced support for survivors is essential. We must work towards creating a legal environment that not only discourages violence but also ensures that justice is swift and unequivocal, and which signals to young women that our safety is of utmost importance and that we can trust the system put in place to safeguard our rights.

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14.Moreover, the establishment of safe spaces and support networks for survivors is imperative. This includes accessible counseling services, shelters, and legal aid to assist survivors in rebuilding their lives, and organisations already working to provide these need even more support to be able to support more survivors.

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15.We must also prioritise education and economic empowerment for young women.

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16.Achieving this requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, policymakers, law enforcement and development partners. By challenging harmful cultural norms, educating our communities and advocating for robust legal frameworks, we can build a society that respects, protects, and empowers women.

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17.Thank you for the opportunity to share insights on this very important topic.