Girls between the ages of 10 and 14 had the highest level of gender-based violence which was 30 per cent before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, a study carried out by gender activists supported by Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria has said.
The study also indicated that there were reports of increased violence across other categories of women and girls, mostly among young girls in the 15-19 age groups.
The Executive Director of Tabitha Cumi Foundation, Tayo Erinle, stated this in Abuja during the flag action on ‘Girls’ Safety’ as part of activities commemorating 16 days of activism with the theme, ‘Orange the world: End violence against women and girls now!’
During the event, stakeholders stressed the need to prioritise marginalized women and girls in the fight to end violence against women and girls, as well as harmful traditional practices in Nigeria.
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Erinle said, “A study carried out in April 2020 by 100 Women Lobby Groups (which Tabitha Cumi Foundation is a member), supported by Global Affairs Canada and ActionAid Nigeria to explore linkages between COVID-19 and gender-based violence shows that girls between the ages of 10-14 had the highest level of violence, which was 30 per cent prior to the lockdown, while there were reports of increased violence across the other categories of women and girls in the study, the largest increase was among young girls in the 15-19 age groups.
“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 prioritizing the most marginalized women and girls.
The Gender Desk Officer in FCT Police Command, Funmi Kolawole, said the16 days of activism to end GBV was a clarion call for all stakeholders to join in the fight and ensure that all cases were not withdrawn but pursued to the latter.
This program shows how important the fight against this pandemic of Sexual and Gender-Based offence was in the heart of everyone across the globe.
“All hands must be on deck to end violence against women and girls and with our efforts together we will kick off VAWG in Nigeria,” she said.
