News

By Prosper

The Ogun State government has reported a total of 502 gender-based violence (GBV) cases from January to November this year alone. The alarming figure, disclosed by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, highlights the urgent need for specialized courts and tougher laws to protect survivors and deliver swift justice.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abeokuta following an advocacy walk marking the culmination of the 2025 “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” Adeleye described the statistics as “deeply concerning,” reflecting not only the persistence of deep-rooted societal harms but also a growing trust in reporting mechanisms. “These numbers represent lives shattered, women, girls, and vulnerable individuals enduring unimaginable trauma,” she said. “Yet, they also signal progress: more survivors are breaking their silence, thanks to our strengthened support systems.”

Of the 502 documented cases, 120 were channeled through the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), with the remainder captured via local area offices and collaborations with partner organizations. The incidents span a grim spectrum, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, child molestation, incest, and emerging threats like digital harassment, cyberbullying, online grooming, sextortion, and identity theft. Despite the volume, outcomes remain painfully limited: only two convictions have been secured so far, with 28 cases still languishing in court.

The advocacy walk, led by the wife of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, and joined by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, spouses of government functionaries, and community stakeholders, pulsed through the streets of Abeokuta under this year’s global theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.” Adeleye warned that the digital age has weaponized technology against the vulnerable, enabling anonymous predators to exploit young people through remote abuse and emotional manipulation. “Social media and online platforms, once beacons of connection, have become battlegrounds for extortion and harassment,” she noted, urging parents, educators, and tech companies to prioritize child safety protocols.

In response to the surge, the Ogun State administration, in partnership with the State Economic Transformation Project and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has rolled out multifaceted interventions. These include bolstering SARCs with better equipment and staffing, expanding temporary shelters for immediate survivor care, and delivering targeted training to law enforcement, teachers, health workers, and social service providers on digital literacy and GBV response. Statewide sensitization campaigns have also intensified, partnering with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and schools to uproot cultural norms that perpetuate violence. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programs have been amplified to empower youth with knowledge on consent, personal boundaries, and online risks.

Yet, Adeleye did not mince words on systemic gaps. She renewed calls for legislative overhaul: the creation of dedicated GBV courts to expedite trials, legal provisions for safe pregnancy termination in cases of rape or incest, and reclassifying rape as a non-bailable offense. “Bail too often silences survivors through intimidation and sabotages investigations,” she asserted, citing a recent defilement case involving two minors where, despite compelling medical evidence, the perpetrator remains at large. The commissioner praised the judiciary’s commitment but emphasized that overburdened dockets delay justice, leaving victims in limbo.

Governor Abiodun’s administration has positioned itself as a vanguard in the fight, with Mrs. Abiodun chairing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law Committee, a multi-stakeholder body including civil society, security agencies, and child rights advocates. Earlier this year, Adeleye forged deeper ties with the Nigeria Police, ensuring GBV cases are fast-tracked at the state command level with specialized officer training.

As the activism campaign concludes, Adeleye’s message rang clear: collective action is non-negotiable. “Men must step forward as allies, challenging toxic norms. Communities, platforms, and leaders— we all bear responsibility,” she implored. “Ogun State is committed to a violence-free future, but it demands unity across every divide.”