According to Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, nearly one-third (31%) of Nigerian women aged between 15 and 49 have endured physical violence, while more than 28% have been victims of sexual violence at least once in their lives. These figures reveal a harsh truth about the ongoing challenges Nigeria faces in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), despite some advancements made in recent years.
The Minister shared these insights during her visit to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. She was warmly received by key state officials, including Deputy Governor Engr Noimot Salako Oyedele, First Lady Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, alongside other prominent female leaders.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that these statistics are far more than numbers; they represent real women-daughters, sisters, mothers, and neighbors-each with their own story of pain and resilience. She highlighted that gender-based violence is not merely a private issue but a societal crisis that disrupts peace, family stability, and national progress. The Minister called for urgent, compassionate, and dedicated action from all stakeholders to address this pervasive problem.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry has integrated this vision into Social Impact Intervention Programs aimed at restoring dignity, broadening opportunities, and reinforcing family structures. The goal is to ensure that no woman, child, or vulnerable individual is overlooked or left behind in the fight against violence and inequality.
Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, Ogun State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, elaborated on the purpose of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and the Women Development Centre. She explained that these institutions were founded on the belief that healing must be accompanied by empowerment and rebuilding. Adeleye, a former legislator, noted that beyond these centers, Ogun State actively promotes the protection of women and children through awareness campaigns, community training, empowerment initiatives, and child-centered programs.
“At the SARC, survivors arrive burdened by trauma, but they leave with renewed hope. Here, physical wounds are treated, emotional pain is soothed, voices regain strength, and lives begin the path to restoration,” she said. Adeleye further reflected on the journey beyond recovery, stressing that survivors require not only healing but also opportunities for renewal. This is why the Women Development Centre is strategically located nearby, providing ongoing support and empowerment.
The Commissioner appealed to the Federal Government for increased funding and support to expand intervention projects, enhance grassroots education, strengthen policies, and implement comprehensive programs that ensure no survivor is neglected. “If Ogun State has ignited the flame of protection and empowerment, we urge the Federal Government to fuel it further, making this fire impossible to extinguish,” Adeleye concluded.
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