High-Level technical group inaugurated to combat GBV in Nigeria

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A High-Level Technical Working Group on Gender-Responsive Budgeting, Policies, and Institutions has been inaugurated to tackle the growing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

The group, which includes representatives from government agencies and international organizations, was launched in Abuja during a High-Level Dialogue on Investment in Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Women. The event was organized by UN Women in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigeria.

Dr Abdul Kamara, the Director General of the African Development Bank, emphasized that empowering women and girls is crucial for building strong, inclusive, and sustainable economies.

He stated, “When women and men, boys and girls have equal opportunities and participate in all areas of life—whether in their communities, in entrepreneurship, in parliament, or in creative industries—societies become more productive, more resilient, more peaceful, and ultimately more powerful.”

Dr Kamara further highlighted that the AfDB’s programmes in Nigeria are designed to reduce gender disparities by improving women’s access to finance, markets, and skills development. He mentioned the approval of a $100 million programme aimed at improving gender-responsive youth enterprise development, with a particular focus on women.


The UN Women Representative in Nigeria Ms Beatrice Eyong noted that the forum would lay a foundation for addressing gender gaps affecting Nigeria and other countries.

“As the world nears the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Unite Campaign calls for increased accountability, stronger national strategies, and enhanced support for women’s rights organizations,” UN Women’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, noted.

Ms. Eyong also expressed concern about the rising threats faced by human rights activists globally and stressed the need for collective action to address these challenges. She urged for stronger national strategies and greater support for women who are risking their lives to combat gender-based violence.

Ambassador Olufolake Abdul-Razak, Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, highlighted the forum’s efforts to promote women’s leadership and economic empowerment through advocacy for gender-friendly initiatives that enable women to drive socio-political and economic

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, shared that the ministry has developed several strategies to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria.

One of the key moments of the dialogue included Ambassador Alfredo Miranda of Mexico, who presented a unique three-color system designed to help children cope in violent environments.

Discussions focused on implementing gender-responsive budgeting, policy development, and strengthening institutional frameworks to tackle gender inequality and violence.

Reporting by Hadiza Abdulrahman

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