The UN Women has called for adequate investment to end gender-based violence, describing violence against women as a pervasive breach of human rights.
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, stated this at the official Orange Lighting ceremony of the UN House in Abuja, the nation’s capital, while advocating a holistic and collaborative approach to address the menace.
The event was organized by the UN Women in commemoration of the 16-Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (GBV), an international campaign that takes place annually.
According to Ms Eyong, in Nigeria, 30 per cent of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 is reported to have experienced sexual abuse, which calls for urgent attention.
“The theme for this year: “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” is a clarion call for all.
“The period provides a chance to shine a spotlight on the global scourge of violence against women and girls.
“Our commitment to ending gender-based violence should be continuous, year-round.
“We need to work together in unity to deal with this menace in order to achieve meaningful and sustainable impact.
“We all need to invest resources, energy, and time to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
“The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey shows that 14 per cent of women in Nigeria have experienced physical violence. These unfortunate realities of our time call for collective and systematic efforts in dealing with the menace,” she explained.
The Orange Lighting Initiative
The The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Eyong, described the light initiative as being integral to the UN Women and the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign.
“It is used to symbolize a brighter future without violence. The ‘orange’ comes from the fire ignited by the many women’s groups dedicated to combating violence against women around the world.
“This evening, we are proud to join this initiative with orange lighting of the UN Building in Nigeria.
“I call on other stakeholders and partners to emulate this by lighting up their respective offices, among other related initiatives,” Eyong appealed.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mathias Schmale, reiterated the need for stakeholders to double their efforts through adequate investment to end violence against women and girls.
“I will highlight few points reflecting on the theme, ‘Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence’.
“Investment obviously means money. We need to continue to push for gender-responsive budgeting at federal and state levels. That is one of the responsibilities, and it grows in power.
“The private sector needs to step up. On the need for prevention, we need to get the Judiciary to work harder to prosecute violators of GBV.
“We need law enforcement agencies, media organizations, the creative industry and traditional institutions to also work collectively to ensure the prevention against GBV,” Schmale said.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Beatrice Evelyn, called for a collective campaign to end GBV.
“The campaign calls on all stakeholders to be committed to end GBV and all forms of violence, including discrimination against women and girls in both private and public sectors.
“The theme particularly calls for investment in girl child education, women socioeconomic empowerment, ending harmful traditional practices and ICT training for women and girls,” said Kennedy-Ohanenye.
For her part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, said plans have been put on ground to sensitize FCT residents to the importance of ending GBV.
“I cannot know when a woman is being violated in Nyanya when I am in Maitama. So, towards the end of the 16 days of activism, we will be calling for Orange March-ups.
“We can only make meaningful impact when we are united, not when we are working in silos.
“Plans are on to ensure women are adequately represented at every committee level in the Senate to fully realize the set goals in the fight against GBV through decision-making process,” Ireti said.
The orange lighting of iconic buildings is one among other actions taken to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
