The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has launched Gender-Based Violence, GBV, response mechanism to counter increasing gender based violence in Nigeria.
The GBV response mechanism will assist communities in selected States transform discriminatory gender and social norms that have continued to subordinate women and make them vulnerable.
Speaking at an event to launch the project, which was attended by the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, said now is the most appropriate time for zero tolerance for gender-based violence in Nigeria, adding that ultimately, the project would increase women’s voices throughout their life course in the project locations and beyond.
He assured that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring a safer society for women, girls and the vulnerable.
According to the U.S charge d’Affairs, Kathleen FitzGibbon, Gender-Based Violence response mechanism will uphold and defend women’s health and rights, thereby increasing their voices and agencies to reduce vulnerability.
She noted the gender-based violence is driven by structural inequalities and unequal power relations that render women subordinate, due to limited access to education, employment, finances, healthcare, and opportunities to contribute to their family, community and the country’s economic growth.
Ekwi Ajide of ABS, Abuja Bureau gathered that in Nigeria, one in three women and girls, aged fifteen to twenty four, have experienced gender-based violence, especially at the hands of people they know, love, and trust.
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