Abuja:Nigeria has deployed its first standardized justice sector platform designed to track cases of violence against women, addressing gaps in data and accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the platform, developed by the Federal Ministry of Justice, will facilitate reporting cases from the point of initial report to resolution. The launch was announced during a national workshop focused on validating the reporting tools and building the technical capacity of SGBV desk officers. This workshop was organized by the European Union Support project to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme in Nigeria, in collaboration with International IDEA and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Mrs. Melissa Omene, a specialist with the ESGBV Programme, noted that the platform aims to provide justice institutions across Nigeria with a unified system for tracking reported cases, aiding in prosecutions and generating reliable data. Omene highlighted that while Nigeria has made progress in establishing legal frameworks to combat violence against women, challenges remain in implementation and accountability.
An assessment involving 112 respondents across 32 institutions revealed fragmented data systems, underscoring the need for a coordinated reporting mechanism. Omene reported that the National GBV Dashboard recorded 4,449 cases in the first half of 2023, with only a fraction leading to convictions. The new system will enable better data standardization and monitoring of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
Mr. Agharinma Ehiedu from International IDEA explained that the platform will centralize data collection and provide comprehensive visibility into reported cases, allowing access to information on offenders and pending trials. It will also enable public reporting, directing information to relevant state officers.
Mrs. Yewande Gbola-Awopetu from the Federal Ministry of Justice emphasized the importance of accurate records for the platform’s success, citing over 33,000 SGBV cases recorded by the National Human Rights Commission. She stressed that the training supports the integrity of Nigeria’s data on violence against women.
Ms. Shirley Atane from Ekiti State highlighted the state’s progress in GBV response but noted the challenge of funding for sustaining interventions. She called for increased financial support to ensure effective implementation of laws and policies for survivors’ protection.