Abuja: The Federal Government has called for a whole-of-society approach to ending conflict-related sexual violence, urging stakeholders to strengthen prevention, protection, and accountability measures to safeguard vulnerable populations across affected communities nationwide. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the call in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict globally, on Saturday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that conflict-related sexual violence remains one of the gravest consequences of insecurity, terrorism, violent extremism, and armed conflict, with far-reaching implications for peace, stability, and national development efforts. The crimes inflict lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm on survivors, while weakening families, destabilizing communities, and creating obstacles to recovery, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that women and girls bear the greatest burden of conflict-related sexual violence, although men and boys are also affected, often facing stigma and challenges in accessing support. She described sexual violence in conflict as a threat to national security, social cohesion, and sustainable development, stressing the need for coordinated interventions to address the growing menace effectively.
The minister called on security agencies, judicial institutions, schools, healthcare providers, and social welfare services to strengthen collaboration and improve preventive and response mechanisms against the menace nationwide. She also urged traditional and religious leaders to support efforts aimed at preventing violence, protecting vulnerable groups, and promoting values that encourage peace, dignity, and mutual respect everywhere.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim appealed to community organizations and development partners to deepen awareness campaigns, strengthen prevention efforts, and expand survivor-support initiatives aimed at addressing conflict-related sexual violence nationwide. She emphasized the role of parents and caregivers in promoting values of respect, empathy, and peaceful coexistence within families and communities, describing such efforts as essential to violence prevention.
According to her, strong families remain the first line of defense against violence, abuse, exploitation, and radicalization, helping to nurture responsible citizens and strengthen social stability nationwide. The minister urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report cases of abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of violence, emphasizing the importance of community participation in prevention efforts.
She also called on the creative industry to use its influence to challenge harmful norms, promote positive social values, and encourage attitudes that reject violence and discrimination. Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that filmmakers, musicians, broadcasters, content creators, and social media influencers could help shape attitudes, raise awareness, and inspire behavioral change across communities throughout the country.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting survivors through access to justice, healthcare, and psychosocial services aimed at promoting recovery, healing, and restoration of dignity. She advocated increased investment in shelters, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, legal aid services, research initiatives, and institutional coordination mechanisms to strengthen survivor protection nationwide.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim concluded by emphasizing that preventing violence must remain central to national efforts to protect women, children, and other vulnerable populations from abuse, exploitation, and conflict-related harm across Nigeria. She urged Nigerians to stand with survivors and work collectively to build safer communities free from violence and exploitation, while promoting peace, justice, and inclusion for all.