West African Action Network on Small Armas, WAANSA, has disclosed a strong collaborative effort with the ECOWAS Court of Justice to strengthen strategies to curb Gender-Based Violence, GBV.
The 1st Regional Vice President of WAANSA, Mr. Martins Igwe disclosed this at the sidelines of event to commence the 2024 16 Days of Activism against GBV, held at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja on Monday.
Igwe called on national, regional and international authorities to unite towards eliminating the social menace he said remained a threat to the realisation of sustainable development goals.
In response, the registrar, Appeals, Arbitration and Enforcement in ECOWAS Court, Mr Gaye Sowe, who had earlier received the WAANSA team, reassured them of the readiness of the court to collaborate with the regional body in prosecuting cases with verifiable evidence of human rights violation, including Gender-Based Violence.
Meanwhile, in her address at the occasion, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for intensified efforts to combat the scourge of GBV in Nigeria, revealing that 30 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have suffered physical or sexual violence.
The minister emphasised the urgent need to address this pervasive issue, which she described as a societal challenge that impedes national development.
“Gender-based violence is a gross violation of human rights. It prevents women and girls from reaching their full potential and undermines our nation’s progress. Violence knows no tribe or creed—it cuts across social and economic boundaries,” the minister said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim pointed out the increasing incidence of abuse, particularly among vulnerable groups, including women in conflict zones, girls with disabilities, and young girls in rural areas.
While commending progress in legislative reforms, such as the domestication of the Child Rights Act in most states and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in 35 states, she stressed the importance of effective enforcement of these laws.
She disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with partners, will organise various events across the country during the 16-day campaign, including sensitisation campaigns, visit to schools, workshops, and an awareness walk to the National Assembly.
The minister urged stakeholders to adopt a multi-sectoral approach, engage men and boys as allies, and promote education to challenge harmful cultural norms.
She also announced the launch of a National Electronic Dashboard to improve data collection and ensure accountability in GBV prevention.
