United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) says the prevalence of sexual violence against women in Nigeria declined from nine per cent in 2018 to five per cent in 2024.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the close-out 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.
Eyong, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Representative, Ms. Patience Ekeoba, said the figures were contained in the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
She said 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 reduced from 36 per cent to 23 per cent within the same period.
According to her, the progress reflects the positive impact of sustained advocacy and the growing involvement of traditional and religious leaders in promoting the rights and dignity of women and girls.
She said the leaders had, over the past three years, become stronger advocates against harmful traditional practices, while supporting efforts to promote gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence in their communities.
Eyong added that female genital mutilation (FGM) also recorded a decline, with national prevalence dropping 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 nine per cent to five per cent. Physical violence since age 15 reduced from 31 per cent to 19 per cent, while 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 declining help-seeking behaviour among survivors of gender-based violence.
She said the trend underscored the need to strengthen survivor-centred services, improve access to reporting mechanisms, reduce stigma, and increase investment in justice, protection and psychosocial support.
Eyong also announced that UN Women had secured fresh funding from the Ford Foundation for a new regional initiative titled Community Led Advocacy and Digital Spaces for the Safety of Women and Girls in West Africa.
She said the programme would 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.
