UN Women and the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) have launched an anthology highlighting women’s experiences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and documenting the struggles of Nigerian women in accessing justice.
The organizations made the call during the launch of the anthology titled “The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria,” as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day 2026 celebration on Friday in Abuja.
They also called for reforms to reduce barriers preventing women and girls from accessing justice in Nigeria.
Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the anthology documents the voices, experiences, and resilience of women who have navigated Nigeria’s justice system, particularly survivors of GBV.
According to her, the theme of International Women’s Day 2026, “Rights, Justice, Actions for All Women and Girls,” underscores the need to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure access to justice through concrete actions.
“For many women and girls, especially survivors of GBV, justice remains difficult to access.
“Survivors often face financial barriers, lengthy legal processes, stigma, and limited access to legal support.
“These challenges can discourage women from reporting abuse or pursuing justice, leaving violations unaddressed and perpetrators unaccountable,” she said.
Eyong noted that although Nigeria has made progress in strengthening legal frameworks and raising awareness about GBV, ensuring that women can access justice safely, affordably, and without stigma remains a key priority.
She cited data indicating that 27,698 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were reported in Nigeria between 2020 and 2023, reflecting the scale of the challenge.
She added that between 2017 and 2020, no fewer than 17,664 survivors accessed Sexual Assault Referral Centres across the country, demonstrating increased reporting and the growing demand for medical and psychosocial support.
Eyong, however, said conviction rates remain low due to gaps in investigative capacity and legal processes.
“For example, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) secured only 51 rape convictions between 2018 and 2020, highlighting the gap between reported cases and the number of perpetrators ultimately brought to justice,” she said.
She added that the programme would provide an opportunity for dialogue on practical ways to reduce the cost of justice and strengthen protection for women and girls.
The Executive Director of SSDO, Mr Stanley Ikechukwu, said the anthology draws inspiration from the community work of the Sister Guardian Initiative (SGI), a women-led protection network developed by the organization.
Ikechukwu explained that through SGI’s community engagement and baseline assessments, survivors shared experiences that revealed recurring barriers to justice and support. These experiences were captured in 15 stories accompanied by artwork.
He added that the themes explored deeper reflections on the realities women face when seeking safety, dignity, and justice.
Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, emphasized the need for greater collaboration to advance the rights of women and girls, ensure justice, and drive concrete actions aimed at reducing GBV and promoting gender equality.
Mr Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting effective investigation and prosecution of GBV cases and ensuring that victims are treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect throughout the justice process.
Fagbemi, represented by Habiba Ajanah-Hamza, Chief State Counsel, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit, Federal Ministry of Justice, stressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders to ensure justice systems are accessible, responsive, and inclusive for all women and girls.
He said, “Initiatives such as this anthology play an important role in deepening public understanding and strengthening advocacy for reforms that make justice more attainable and humane.”
Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Representative and Resident Coordinator, while noting the increasing cases of GBV, stressed the need to strengthen access to justice and protection for women and girls in Nigeria.
“This includes legal reforms, strengthening institutions, expanding survivor support services across the board, and promoting social norms that support equality and respect,” she said.
She also emphasized the need to move beyond commitments and focus on practical actions that ensure justice is accessible to every Nigerian woman and girl.
