In honor of the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of AAN, brought up the concerns during the National Dialogue on Investing to Prevent violence Against Women and Girls. He revealed that statistics indicated that one in three women, or 25% of the Nigerian population, suffer from gender-based violence.
He emphasized the size of the issue and the need for the federal, state, and local governments to lead the charge in combating the threat by stepping up their investment.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that the nation was starting to advance.
"More cases are being recorded, and we are starting to see more survival supported. In contrast to earlier times when people were silent, there is increased awareness of the issue and a greater number of incidents are being recorded.
He stated that ActionAid is dedicated to working with everyone, including partners, communities, girls, and women, to ensure that they achieve all the intended results. They do not want the statistics of violence against women to stay the same.
The Women's Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project (WVL-N) is one of the many initiatives addressing the problem of violence against women and children in Nigeria, and the country director praised Global Affairs Canada for sponsoring it.
Additionally, Djifa Ahado, Head of Development Corporations, Global Affairs Canada, stated that they are happy with the impact the WLN project is having and that they are unable to separate issues involving men and boys since they are so important.
She emphasized that she was pleased that the traditional rulers and stakeholders were participating in order to make sure that men and boys are included and appreciate the need of focusing on men and boys as well as women and girls.
"WLN is one of our largest projects in Nigeria because of the positive reactions women's rights organizations have received there. We are happy with some of the impacts and outcomes at the state and federal levels, but we can always do more," the speaker stated.
Global Affairs Canada is the project's funding source for the five-year WVL initiative. Through the provision of technical and financial resources to local feminist/women's rights organizations (LWROs) that are advancing the rights of women and girls and championing gender equality, the project seeks to remove obstacles to gender equality and support the empowerment of women and girls.
The funding opportunity focuses on creative concepts that can spark fresh approaches within Nigeria's women's rights movement.