Civil society stakeholders in Nigeria have called for the prioritisation of marginalised women and girls in the efforts to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and other harmful practices.

Speaking at the ‘Flashlight Action on Girls’ Safety (FLAG)’ event in Abuja, the Executive Director of Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), Adetayo Erinle, said that stakeholders must cooperate in bringing an end to gender-based violence (GBV).

The event was organised to commence this year’s 16 days of activism against GBV.

The United Nations (UN) designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to raise awareness of the fact that many women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence.

A recent study commissioned by Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) found that 28 percent of women aged between 25 and 29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15.

The study also showed that the level of exposure to the risk of violence for women varied based on marital status, with 44 percent of divorced, separated or widowed women abused.

‘We advocate for inclusive, comprehensive and long-term strategies, programmes and resources to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces prioritising the most marginalised women and girls’, Erinle said.

Also speaking at the event, the Gender Desk Officer, FCT Police Command, Funmi Kolande, said that the days of activism to end GBV is a call for all stakeholders to be united in ensuring all victims of VAWG get justice.

‘This programme shows how important the fight against this pandemic of sexual, gender-based offence is in the heart of everyone across the globe’, Kolande said.

Source: NAN

Photo source: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid