The French Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against gender-based violence (GBV), emphasizing the need to assess progress and strengthen efforts to eradicate the issue.
Speaking at a panelist breakfast debate in Abuja on Wednesday, Ketty Regis, representing the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean-François Hasperue, highlighted the importance of reflection as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025.
“It’s time to take stock. What have we achieved in 30 years? What lessons have we learned from our commitments and recommendations?” Regis asked during the event, held as part of the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
This year, the French Embassy in Nigeria is supporting 13 projects across 11 states, partnering with 15 civil society organizations to directly engage between 150 and 200 individuals in targeted activities.
Regis underscored the human rights dimension of GBV, stating: “GBV is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue.” She also introduced a new educational initiative, the GBV Avengers game, designed to raise awareness and drive discussions on accountability and justice for survivors.
“The question is: what does real responsibility look like in the fight against violence against women and girls? Perpetrators must be held accountable through a zero-tolerance system, while victims must have access to justice and support,” she emphasized.
Regis noted that Nigeria accounts for approximately 10% of the world’s 200 million GBV survivors, with around 20 million victims in the country, calling the figure “alarming.”
The event concluded with panelists and participants unanimously stressing the urgent need for concerted action to end GBV in Nigeria.
