Women right abuse - Women Times

Danish Aid Worker Shares Powerful Transformation of Akwa Ibom Girl Once Branded a Witch

by Women Times on October 24, 2025

By Prosper Mene

October 24, 2025

A young girl from Akwa Ibom State, once beaten, starved, and abandoned on the streets after being falsely accused of witchcraft, is now living a healthy and happy life. Danish humanitarian Anja Ringgren Lovén, founder of the Land of Hope foundation, shared emotional before-and-after photos of the girl on social media, showing her remarkable recovery.

In the first photo, taken years ago, the girl appears extremely thin, with visible injuries and a look of deep fear. She had been attacked by community members who believed she was a witch. Left with no food or shelter, she survived alone on the dangerous streets of Akwa Ibom. But in the recent pictures, she is completely changed, her face glows with a bright smile, her body is strong and healthy, and she stands confidently in clean clothes at the Land of Hope children’s home.

Anja Ringgren Lovén explained that the girl was rescued several years ago by her team. “She was accused of being a witch and suffered terrible abuse,” Lovén wrote. “People who should have protected her turned against her. But today, she is proof that love and care can heal even the deepest wounds.” The foundation gave the girl medical treatment, regular meals, counseling, and a safe place to live. She now attends school and plays with other children who were also saved from similar situations.

Witchcraft accusations remain a serious problem in parts of Akwa Ibom and other Nigerian states. Many families, facing poverty, illness, or the loss of a loved one, blame children for bad luck or strange behavior. According to child rights groups, thousands of boys and girls have been abandoned, tortured, or killed because of these false beliefs. Some children are sick with diseases like malaria or HIV, but instead of getting medical help, they are called witches and cast out.

Land of Hope has been fighting this injustice since 2008. The organization runs a large rescue center, school, and clinic in Akwa Ibom. They have saved and rehabilitated hundreds of children, teaching them, feeding them, and helping them rebuild trust in the world. Lovén and her team also work with local leaders and families to change harmful beliefs and promote education and healthcare. “We don’t just save children—we work to stop the fear that hurts them,” Lovén said.

The girl’s story is one of many successes. Like Hope, the famous boy rescued in 2016 whose photo went viral worldwide, this girl is now thriving. Her transformation has touched hearts online and renewed calls for stronger laws to protect children in Nigeria. Land of Hope continues to ask for support to help more children escape abuse and build a brighter future.

Women right abuse

Nigerian Women Demand Reform as Sexual Harassment Crisis Persists

by Women Times on April 15, 2025

By Prosper Mene, April 15, 2025

A recent poll has laid open the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in Nigeria, with women across the country voicing a resounding lack of faith in the systems meant to protect them. Titled “‘We Do Not Feel Protected’,” the survey conducted by BusinessDay NG reveals a dim reality: sexual harassment is a widespread, underreported scourge that thrives in public spaces, workplaces, and private circles, leaving victims trapped in a cycle of fear, shame, and systemic failure.

The poll, which gathered responses from hundreds of Nigerian women, paints a stark picture. Many recounted experiences of harassment—ranging from verbal abuse to physical violations—in markets, public transport, and offices. Yet, the vast majority never reported these incidents. The reasons are telling: fear of stigma, victim-blaming, retaliation, and a deep-seated distrust in the legal system. “The laws exist on paper, but enforcement is a myth,” one respondent said. “You’re more likely to be judged than protected.”

Cultural norms worsens the problem, with societal attitudes often trivializing harassment or silencing women who dare to speak out. “In Nigeria, people still think it’s normal for a woman to endure catcalling or worse, especially if the man has power,” said Aisha Bello, a 29-year-old teacher from Abuja. The poll highlighted how these dynamics shield perpetrators, particularly those in positions of authority, while victims face disbelief or blame.

The legal system offers little recourse. Weak enforcement, costly and slow judicial processes, and a lack of institutional support leave survivors isolated. “Even when you report, the police might dismiss it as ‘small’ or ask you to settle privately,” noted Funmi Adeyemi, a Lagos-based activist. The poll also sparked debate about the broader conversation on harassment, with some respondents pointing out that men can be victims too, though women and girls remain disproportionately affected.

Calls for change are growing louder. Activists and respondents alike are urging comprehensive reforms: stronger enforcement of existing laws, public awareness campaigns to shift cultural mindsets, and accessible support systems for victims. “We need more than promises,” Adeyemi stressed. “We need action—safe spaces, real justice, and a society that stops excusing predators.”

News Women right abuse

Street Children Crisis in Kano: Young Girls Face Growing Risks.

by Women Times on March 29, 2025

By Prosper Mene

In the streets of Kano, northern Nigeria’s largest city, thousands of children roam without shelter or protection, with young girls among the most vulnerable. Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm over the escalating crisis, warning that these girls face heightened risks of exploitation, violence, and abuse as they struggle to survive amid poverty and displacement.

The sight of children begging or hawking goods is not new to Kano, a commercial hub with a rich cultural heritage. Yet, the numbers have surged in recent years, driven by Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis and ongoing security challenges. Authorities estimate that over 5,000 street children currently live in the city, a figure that reflects only a fraction of the broader national issue. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria has 18.5 million out-of-school children, with Kano State alone accounting for 1.9 million—the highest in the country.

For young girls, the streets offer little beyond danger. “These girls are at the mercy of predators,” says Amina Usman, a social worker with a local nonprofit, Rahama Foundation. “Without family or a safe place to turn, they’re targets for trafficking, forced labor, and sexual violence.” Reports from humanitarian groups indicate that many are lured with promises of food or money, only to be trapped in cycles of exploitation.

The roots of this crisis run deep. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is striy with its worst economic downturn in decades, with inflation soaring to 34.6% in early 2025. In Kano, where 39% of children live in multidimensional poverty, families are increasingly unable to cope. High divorce rates and the displacement caused by banditry and insurgencies in the northwest and northeast have further swelled the ranks of street children. “Parents can’t feed their kids, so they end up here,” Usman explains. “For girls, it’s even worse they’re often seen as burdens.”

Local authorities have taken notice. In January 2025, Kano State launched a mass evacuation of street children, aiming to rehabilitate and repatriate them. The initiative, led by the state’s Hisbah—a religious police force—includes plans for psychosocial support and education. “We see these children as a security threat, but also as a social one,” says Commander Haruna Daurawa, who oversaw a similar effort between 2017 and 2018 that evacuated 26,000 children. Yet, many returned to the streets, underscoring the challenge of addressing root causes like poverty and lack of opportunity.

Grassroots efforts are also stepping in. Organizations like Rahama Foundation and Rising Child Foundation are working to provide safe spaces, education, and vocational training, with a particular focus on girls. “Education is their way out,” says Taibat Hussain, founder of Rising Child Foundation, which has empowered vulnerable children across Nigeria. “But we’re fighting against a tide of systemic issues—poverty, gender inequality, and violence.”

The plight of Kano’s street girls mirrors broader gender challenges in the region. Nigeria ranks 130th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap report, and activists point to weak enforcement of laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act as a barrier to progress. “The government has tools, but they’re not using them effectively,” says Fatima Bello, a women’s rights advocate in Kano. “These girls need more than evacuation—they need justice and a future.”

Women right abuse

From Hardship to Hope: A Nigerian Mother’s Journey Back Home.

by Women Times on March 28, 2025

By Prosper Mene .

Success (pseudonym) never imagined she’d return to Nigeria with little more than her daughter and a suitcase of shattered dreams. Three years ago, the 32-year-old mother left her village in Edo State, lured by promises of a better life in Libya. Instead, she found exploitation, danger, and despair. Today, she’s stitching together a new future—quite literally—as the owner of a budding clothing business, a testament to her resilience and the power of second chances.

Success’s story mirrors that of thousands of Nigerian women who migrate annually, driven by poverty, unemployment, and societal pressures to provide for their families. “I wanted my daughter to have what I didn’t,” she says, her voice steady despite the weight of her past. In Libya, she faced grueling labor and abuse, a far cry from the housekeeping job she’d been promised. When the opportunity to return came via an International Organization for Migration (IOM) program, she seized it, arriving back in Edo State in late 2023 with her young daughter in tow.

The homecoming wasn’t easy. Returnees like Success often face stigma—whispers of failure or worse from neighbors who don’t understand the ordeal. “People judged me,” she admits. “They thought I came back empty-handed, but I brought back my life.” Financially, she started from scratch, her savings depleted by the migration journey. Yet, with support from IOM’s reintegration initiatives, Success accessed vocational training and a small grant. She chose tailoring, a skill she’d dabbled in as a teenager, and opened a shop in her community last year.

Now, her modest stall buzzes with customers seeking custom dresses and repairs. “It’s not just about money,” she says, threading a needle with practiced ease. “It’s about showing my daughter we can rise again.” Her business is small but growing, a lifeline in a region where economic opportunities remain scarce.

Success’s journey exposes a broader narrative. Nigeria remains a hub for irregular migration, with many women risking everything for a shot at stability abroad. The pressures—unemployment, gender inequality, and family expectations—push them out, while programs like IOM’s aim to pull them back with dignity. Yet, reintegration is a fragile process. Experts note that without sustained support, returnees can slip back into the same despair that drove them away.

For Success, the contrast between her past and present fuels her resolve. “I left because I felt trapped,” she reflects. “Now, I stay because I’ve found a way to be free.” Her story isn’t just one of survival—it’s a quiet revolution, proving that even in the face of setbacks, Nigerian women are rewriting their futures, one stitch at a time.

Uncategorized Women in Nigeria Women right abuse

Gender Equality Crisis Deepens in Nigeria, Sparking Urgent Calls for Reform.

by Women Times on March 22, 2025

By Mene Prosper

A pressing gender inequality trend in Nigeria, reported by guardian Nigeria has laid bare a worsening gender equality crisis in Nigeria, igniting fresh outrage and demands for systemic change. Titled “Nigeria’s Gender Equality Crisis: Urgent Need for Reform,” the study ranks Nigeria a dismal 179th globally for women’s representation in national legislatures, spotlighting profound disparities in education, employment, and political power.

The report arrives amid a firestorm of controversy following the Nigerian Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who recently alleged sexual harassment by a senior colleague. Activists seize on this incident as a glaring example of the entrenched sexism plaguing the nation’s corridors of power. “This is not just one senator’s story—it’s a symptom of a system rigged against women,” said Chika Okeke, a Lagos-based women’s rights advocate. The timing has only fueled public anger, with protests echoing the global themes of International Women’s Day earlier this month: rights, equality, and empowerment.

Beyond politics, the report exposes broader societal failures. Women lag significantly behind men in access to quality education and decent jobs, with economic desperation driving some to transactional sex for survival.

Meanwhile, violence against women surges, with at least 24 femicide cases recorded this year alone, according to Project Alert. Efforts to repeal the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act further threaten to unravel fragile protections.

Skepticism looms large over whether this report will jolt the government into action, given its track record of inertia on gender issues. “We’ve seen reports before—words without deeds,” Okeke added. Yet, with activists amplifying their voices and women like Akpoti-Uduaghan refusing to be silenced, pressure is mounting for Nigeria to confront its gender crisis head-on—or risk leaving half its population behind.