Lagos, Nigeria — The United Nations Association of Africa (UNAA) has renewed its call for urgent and collective action to eliminate violence against women and girls, describing the menace as a persistent human rights violation that cuts across cultures, religions, and social classes.
The call was made by the Director of Community Health and Ghana Country Director of UNAA, Princess Gifty Okafor, during an event held in Lagos to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The event was themed “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.”
As part of activities at the event, UNAA formally unveiled the UNAA Girls’ Mentorship Club, an initiative aimed at promoting awareness, prevention, and timely response to all forms of violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the gathering, Okafor stressed the importance of sustained awareness and community education in addressing gender-based violence, noting that meaningful investment in prevention was key to achieving gender equality.
“No society can achieve peace, prosperity, or sustainable development while half of its population lives in fear,” she said. “Ending violence against women is not optional; it is a fundamental right to development, justice, and human security.”
She added that collective action remained crucial to building a society where women and girls could live free from fear and enjoy equal opportunities.
Also speaking, Mr. Toyin Ogunjare, Head of the Mathematics Department at Yaba College of Technology and a girls’ rights advocate, acknowledged progress made in advancing women’s rights in Nigeria but said significant challenges remained.
According to Ogunjare, inadequate implementation of existing laws and limited access to justice continue to hinder women’s empowerment. He emphasized that ending violence against women required a comprehensive approach involving education, strong legal frameworks, community engagement, and support systems for survivors.
Media executive Agatha Amata highlighted the role of self-worth, education, and financial independence in empowering women, noting that financially empowered women were more likely to assume leadership roles and advocate for change.
Similarly, Mrs. Olusola Racheal Adeyinka, Principal of Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls’ Secondary School, urged women and girls to reject narratives that portray them as second-class citizens, encouraging them to speak out confidently and embrace leadership roles without fear.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to intensify efforts toward ending violence against women and girls across Nigeria and beyond.
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