This year’s campaign themed: Towards Beijing +30: Unite to end violence against women and girls, reinforced the importance of grassroots advocacy as well as sustained collaboration in fostering an inclusive society free from gender-based violence. Photo Credit: Julian Osamoto
As part of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, ActionAid Nigeria and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), organized a community-driven event in Abuja to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and empower women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Representatives from five area councils—Bwari, AMAC, and Gwagwalada—participated in the initiative, which spotlighted local efforts to promote gender equity and end violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the event, Yesmin Salako, CITAD’s Program Officer, emphasized the organization’s commitment to building capacity in 20 rural communities, including Paepa, Guto, Tunga Ashiri, Kaida Soho, and Kaida Sabo.
Salako, highlighted some of the systemic issues being experienced in the communities, such as the denial of education and economic opportunities for women, often driven by patriarchal norms that prioritize male children. “Patriarchy perpetuates harmful stereotypes, like the notion that educating girls is unnecessary. This mindset must change for sustainable progress,” Salako remarked.
She also noted significant achievements through CITAD’s advocacy, such as the construction of schools in underserved communities like Pasipa, which has reduced dropout rates and teenage pregnancies. Safe spaces for women to discuss and address their challenges were another notable success.
A participant, Ruth Saliho, from Gofidna community, shared her inspiring story of resilience. Denied education by her family, Saliho, worked odd jobs to fund her schooling and is now a skilled hairdresser and entrepreneur. “Despite the odds, I pursued education and built a business. My story shows that women can overcome barriers and thrive,” she said.
Such stories highlight the broader struggles women face in patriarchal communities, where many are turning to farming, vocational skills, and savings in groups to secure financial independence.
Collaborative Efforts to End GBV
In her address, ActionAid’s Women’s Rights Program Specialist, Niri Goite, underscored the urgency of combating GBV, citing UN Women data revealing that 85,000 women globally were killed in one year due to femicide. “This translates to a woman dying every 10 minutes from gender-based violence—a crisis demanding immediate attention,” Goite stated.
ActionAid’s initiatives, such as the MapGBV Project funded by the Ford Foundation, aim to empower traditional and religious leaders to challenge harmful cultural norms.
These efforts include capacity building, advocacy, and the establishment of bylaws to eliminate practices like female genital mutilation and early marriage.
Economic and Social Impact of GBV
Goite, emphasized the far-reaching consequences of GBV, noting its toll on families, economic resources, and national productivity. “Gender-based violence affects not only individuals but also families and the economy, ultimately impacting GDP,” she explained.
ActionAid’s data-driven approach—using baseline and end-line surveys—helps measure the impact of its interventions, ensuring that programs are effective and sustainable. “Ending GBV requires unity. When men and women work together to confront harmful norms, we can create safer, more inclusive communities for everyone,” Goite concluded.
Call to Action
The event concluded with a call for collective action, where participants urged traditional leaders, policymakers, and communities to actively address GBV by challenging harmful practices and promoting equality.Reporting by Julian Osamoto
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