By Aderogba George
FAB Treasure Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the government to strengthen enforcement of laws addressing crimes against humanity to curb the rising incidence of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) nationwide.
Miss Festus Abigail, Executive Director of the foundation, made the call in Abuja on Monday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressing concern over increasing cases across Nigeria.
She said proper enforcement of laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and other frameworks would help.
“SGBV remains one of Nigeria’s most urgent social and human rights challenges, which government must take seriously. As an advocate for the girl child, I am particularly concerned by this trend.”
“Violence against women and girls is still being normalised, underreported and, in many cases, poorly addressed. We continue to hear disturbing cases of abuse, rape, child marriage and exploitation,” she said.
According to her, what makes the cases more troubling is that perpetrators are often people within victims’ circles of trust, including relatives, partners, neighbours, teachers, religious leaders and authority figures.
“This tells us that GBV is not simply a problem of individual behaviour. It is also a problem of systems, culture, accountability and institutional response that requires collective action.”
“Nigeria has laws such as the VAPP Act and other international conventions to which it is a signatory, but legislation is only effective when it is properly enforced,” she said.
“A survivor who gathers the courage to report abuse should not be met with victim-blaming, pressure to settle the matter privately, or an ineffective justice process,” she added.
She emphasised that government must move beyond awareness campaigns and strengthen the entire GBV response system to ensure survivors received protection, justice and support whenever they seek assistance nationwide.
Abigail advocated improved training for frontline institutions, particularly the police, who were often first responders to SGBV cases, alongside enhanced access to justice and comprehensive survivor support services.
She said governments at all levels must ensure perpetrators faced consequences regardless of their status, influence or social standing, adding that accountability remained essential for reducing violence effectively.
According to her, prevention efforts must begin early through schools teaching age-appropriate lessons on personal boundaries, safety, respectful relationships and reporting mechanisms available to children facing abuse.
She also emphasised that boys and men must be included in conversations on preventing violence, noting that girls alone could not bear responsibility for avoiding abuse in society.
The executive director further advocated economic empowerment for women, saying financial dependence often made it difficult for victims to leave abusive relationships and seek protection from authorities.
According to her, expanding opportunities through education, skills acquisition and decent employment for women and girls would significantly contribute to reducing gender-based violence across communities nationwide.
“We also need communities to stop protecting perpetrators in the name of family reputation. Silence does not preserve a family. It protects abuse and allows violence to continue.
“As a girl-child advocate, my position is simple: we cannot eradicate gender-based violence by simply telling girls to be careful. We must address the root causes effectively.
“We must build a society where perpetrators are held accountable, survivors are protected and institutions respond effectively,” she said, calling for sustained commitment from all stakeholders nationwide.
She said every girl should grow up knowing that violence against her is neither normal nor acceptable, adding that protecting girls represents an investment in Nigeria’s future.(NAN)
Edited by Franca Ofili/Abiemwense Moru