16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Call for urgent action in Nigeria
Every year, from November 25th to December 10th, the world unites for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action to eliminate violence against women and girls.
This year’s theme aligns with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, emphasizing the indispensable role of women in building and sustaining peace, especially in conflict and post-conflict settings. However, in Nigeria, where gender-based violence (GBV) remains widespread, these 16 days are not just a global movement—they are a stark reminder of the country’s pressing need for change.
The WPS Agenda, adopted through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, provides a framework built on four pillars: prevention of violence and its root causes, protection of women and girls during crises, participation in peacebuilding processes, and relief and recovery through gender-sensitive rebuilding strategies. While this agenda recognizes the disproportionate impact of violence and conflict on women, it also underlines their critical roles as peacebuilders and agents of transformation.
