The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has announced a significant decline in sexual violence against women in Nigeria, from 9 percent in 2018 to 5 percent in 2024. This data comes from the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), as disclosed by UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong.
Key Findings from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
During the close-out event of the Ford Foundation-funded LEAP Project in Abuja on Monday, Ms. Eyong, represented by Acting Deputy Representative Ms. Patience Ekeoba, highlighted additional declines. Physical violence against women since age 15 dropped from 31 percent (2018) to 19 percent (2024), while intimate partner violence fell from 36 percent to 23 percent. Female genital mutilation (FGM) also decreased, with national prevalence reducing from 20 percent to 14 percent over the same period.
Impact of Traditional and Religious Leaders
Eyong attributed the progress to the positive influence of engaging traditional and religious leaders. Over the past three years, many have become stronger advocates for women's rights, helping communities reject harmful practices and promote gender equality. She stated: “The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey provides encouraging signs that sustained investments in prevention are contributing to positive change. Compared to 2018, sexual violence against women declined from 9 percent to 5 percent. Physical violence since age 15 reduced from 31 percent to 19 percent. Intimate partner violence declined from 36 percent to 23 percent. We are equally encouraged by the continued decline in female genital mutilation, with national prevalence reducing from 20 percent in 2018 to 14 percent in 2024.”
Challenges and New Initiatives
Despite these gains, Eyong noted a decline in help-seeking among survivors, emphasizing the need for stronger survivor-centered services, accessible reporting mechanisms, reduced stigma, and greater investments in justice, protection, and psychosocial support. She also announced that UN Women secured fresh funding from the Ford Foundation for a new regional program titled “Community Led Advocacy and Digital Spaces for the Safety of Women and Girls in West Africa.” This initiative will be implemented in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal to address harmful social norms and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online harassment, cyberstalking, and image-based abuse.
