Activists Demand Urgent Action as Gender-Based Violence Surges in Nigeria

omen’s rights groups and civil society organizations in Nigeria are calling on the government to declare a state of emergency following a sharp rise in gender-based violence (GBV). Reports from the Femicide Observatory reveal a staggering 240% increase in cases, with 17 recorded in January 2025 alone and five more by mid-February. Shocking incidents, including the killing of Emrich Effanga by her boyfriend and the fatal assault on Mutiat Sholola by her husband, have intensified public outrage. Advocates link the growing crisis to harmful online narratives and gaps in legislation, arguing that weak enforcement fuels a culture of impunity. Despite efforts such as a national GBV data dashboard launched in 2020, inefficiencies in documentation and law enforcement undermine progress. In response, women’s organizations are mobilizing protests, demanding stricter policies, better resource allocation, and decisive government intervention to safeguard women and girls across Nigeria.

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