Norway has assumed joint leadership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on the “Call to Action” against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in emergencies.
The Communication Analyst of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr Adewole Ajao, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajao, the development was announced at a symbolic handover ceremony held at the residence of the Norwegian Ambassador in Abuja.
He said the handover marked the end of Germany’s tenure as joint lead alongside the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development from 2023 to 2024.
Ajao added that during the ceremony, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Annett Gunther, highlighted the impact of the Call to Action and reaffirmed her country’s continued commitment to the initiative.
“While our tenure as lead has come to an end, Germany remains committed to strengthening efforts to protect women and girls in crisis situations in Nigeria and beyond.
“With Norway taking over the lead, the Call to Action will continue to drive change for gender mainstreaming in humanitarian action,” Gunther said.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also underscored the impact of the initiative since its inception in 2018 and the role of the ministry as co-lead in Nigeria.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Esuabana Asanye, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria remained fully committed to the Call to Action.
“Since its introduction in 2018, the initiative has strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination, accountability and localized responses.
“As co-lead of the strategic task team, the ministry continues to align partners, provide oversight and promote sustainable, community-driven solutions,” she said.
The UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, expressed optimism that the rotating leadership arrangement would further consolidate progress across the six focus areas of the Call to Action.
“UNFPA reaffirms its full and unwavering commitment to sustaining the momentum we have built together, strengthening coordination, advancing accountability, and ensuring that gender-based violence prevention and response remain central to humanitarian action,” Mafico said.
Also speaking, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Baera, expressed optimism about accelerating efforts to meet commitments to end gender-based violence in collaboration with Call to Action partners in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
“Protection against sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies has been high on the Norwegian agenda for years.
“The Call to Action is a unique multi-stakeholder structure and an important reminder that we must join forces to ensure protection against GBV in emergencies and effective responses for survivors,” Baera said.
The “Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies” is a global multi-stakeholder partnership involving states, donors, international organizations, and international and national non-governmental organizations.
The initiative seeks to transform humanitarian systems by ensuring that the prevention of and response to gender-based violence are prioritized from the onset of every crisis.
In Nigeria, the initiative is jointly led by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and a global partner, with leadership transferred from Germany, which served from 2023 to 2024, to Norway for the 2025–2026 period.
