The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has said the prevalence of sexual violence against women in Nigeria declined from 9 per cent in 2018 to 5 per cent in 2024.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, disclosed this during the closeout of the Ford Foundation-funded Traditional and Cultural Leaders for Ending Gender-Based Violence by Advancing Advocacy, Policy and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP) Project in Abuja.
Eyong, who was represented by Acting Deputy Representative, Patience Ekeoba, said the figures were contained in the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
According to her, the survey also showed that physical violence against women since the age of 15 declined from 31 per cent in 2018 to 19 per cent in 2024, while intimate partner violence dropped from 36 per cent to 23 per cent during the same period.
She attributed the progress to sustained efforts aimed at preventing gender-based violence, including the engagement of traditional and religious leaders in advocacy campaigns.
Eyong said that over the past three years, many traditional and religious leaders had become stronger advocates for the rights and dignity of women and girls, helping communities reject harmful practices, promote gender equality and strengthen efforts to end gender-based violence.
She added that female genital mutilation also recorded a decline, with national prevalence reducing from 20 per cent in 2018 to 14 per cent in 2024.
“The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey provides encouraging signs that sustained investments in prevention are contributing to positive change. Compared to 2018, sexual violence against women declined from 9 per cent to 5 per cent.
“Physical violence since age 15 reduced from 31 per cent to 19 per cent. Intimate partner violence declined from 36 per cent to 23 per cent. We are equally encouraged by the continued decline in female genital mutilation, with national prevalence reducing from 20 per cent in 2018 to 14 per cent in 2024,” she said.
Despite the progress, Eyong expressed concern over a decline in the number of survivors seeking help and called for stronger support systems.
“The decline in help-seeking among survivors tells us that prevention must be matched with stronger survivor-centred services, accessible reporting mechanisms, reduced stigma and greater investments in justice, protection and psychosocial support,” she added.
She also announced that UN Women had secured fresh funding from the Ford Foundation for a new regional programme titled Community-Led Advocacy and Digital Spaces for the Safety of Women and Girls in West Africa.
According to her, the initiative will be implemented in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal to address harmful social norms and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online harassment, cyberstalking and image-based abuse.
