Gender & Equity10,000 Nigerian Women Suffer Gender-Based Violence On A Daily Basis- UNFPA

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ABUJA — About 10,000 Nigerian women suffer from all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on a daily basis.
The Country Representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Ulla Elisabeth Mueller disclosed this at the End Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria Summit, organised by the Nigeria Academy of Science and the Ford Foundation in Abuja, Nigeria Capital Territory.
“Available statistics showed that one in three girls are exposed to gender-based violence, one in five girls are survivors of female genital mutilation, and by the age of 18.43% of girls are already married.
Incidents of gender-based violence are much higher but underreported, largely due to the culture of silence predominant among the people of the country.
These are the official numbers. And what is the one thing we know without exception about gender-based violence? It is underreported.
So we have official data that gives us very high numbers but we know that number is much much higher. In fact, it’s been speculated that in Nigeria alone we have as much as 10,000 every single day.
Gender-Based Violence and Harmful practices, such as forced child marriages and female genital mutilation continue to be a challenge, not only in Nigeria but in many countries of this world, largely due to culture and traditions held on to by the
people.
It is very often said that it is part of culture and tradition, and therefore it cannot change, but I’m wondering today how many of our cultures is exactly as it was 50 years ago, or even 25 years ago. Culture and traditions are dynamic and they are made by human beings.
Mueller called for an end to the culture of silence, saying part of this under-reporting is due to the silence culture we have about it. We don’t talk about it, it’s shameful for the survivor to stand up to say I was raped. How can that be shameful for a woman? The one who should be shamed is the perpetrator, it should never be the survivor.
If we are serious about ending gender-based violence, globally and in Nigeria, we must end the silence, we must speak up for the girl and for the woman every single day.
In her speech, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, wife of Edo State Governor, called for close collaborations with key stakeholders, if the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria will be effective.
Speaking on the topic: Overcoming political challenges in the fight against gender-based violence, the Edo First Lady noted that gender-based violence is often rooted in native law and customs, which generally favours men,
It is critical to forge close relations and ties with certain critical players in the society if the meaning change will be seen in this regard, she said.
Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent)

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