Sexual Assault: EU-IIDEA, FG Call for Enforcement of Laws, Protection of Vulnerable Citizens

This call was made at the 2nd Annual Conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs in Abuja, themed ‘Sub-National Policy and Practice for Enhancing Rights, Protection, and Justice for Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities.’ The conference was organized by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of International IDEA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Concerned by the low levels of inclusion for women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWD) in national affairs, stakeholders gathered to strategize on ways to advocate for vulnerable citizens in Nigeria. They noted that achieving gender equality requires transforming social norms and power dynamics that support the political, social, and economic empowerment of the most marginalized, especially women, children, and PWD.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Women and Community Engagement, Princess Joan Jummai Idonije, stated that this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” is particularly relevant, emphasizing the need for renewed commitment and bold action to tackle gender parity issues.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim reiterated the importance of critically evaluating Nigeria’s policies and governance structures to ensure that interventions lead to tangible outcomes, particularly at the sub-national level where the needs are most urgent.

“We must ensure that every intervention is tracked, evaluated, and reported. Investing in state-level gender data systems will help us measure progress and feed into the national Women’s Empowerment and Protection Dashboard, ensuring accountability and transparency in our collective efforts,” she stressed.

She also expressed her appreciation to RoLAC and other development partners for their continued support of women, children, and vulnerable groups, commending State Commissioners for Women Affairs for their leadership and dedication to advancing gender equality at the sub-national level.

Danladi Plang, Head of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, urged state Commissioners to pursue the enactment and implementation of relevant laws for women, children, and PWD. He called on authorities to allocate resources and make investments to ensure the sector thrives beyond political rhetoric.

“The core objectives of the Rule of Law Programme are to increase access to justice for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Since 2017, in collaboration with the European Union, we have been implementing this programme across several states. We’ve supported the creation of legislation such as the Child Protection Law and the VAPP Law in various states,” Plang said.

He further explained that state ministries and commissioners play a crucial role in influencing policy implementation and serving as catalysts for change within their cabinets.

In an interview at the event, Plang disclosed that the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) have assisted over 8,000 survivors. “Last year, we commissioned the NCPWD to ensure office buildings are accessible, and we’ve continued advocating for legislative changes with Commissioners to ensure that vulnerable groups are supported,” he said.

Oluwatoyosi Giwa, Project Manager of the Access to Justice RoLAC Programme, emphasized the conference’s goal to produce action plans that would directly benefit vulnerable citizens.

“By the end of these three days, we hope to develop actionable strategies that Commissioners can implement in their states to improve the lives of women, children, and persons with disabilities,” Giwa said. “Let us speak our truth and share our experiences so we can learn from one another and bring back tangible solutions.”

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, noted that while many Nigerian states have enacted laws for women’s rights, full implementation is still lacking.

“We need to explore the talents that women have. Excluding half of the population means missing out on specific talents. Mixed groups, with both women and men, are more efficient than single-gender groups, and this is especially true for politics,” Mignot explained.

The three-day event in Abuja follows the success of the inaugural conference held in February 2024 and underscores the European Union’s commitment to enhancing rights, protection, and justice for women, children, and persons with disabilities in Nigeria. The conference hosts over 250 participants, including Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of Women Affairs from the 35 states of the Federation, along with key stakeholders working on women’s, children’s, and gender rights.

Earlier,  International IDEA Nigeria, in a media advisory by , Communications Officer, Murkthar Suleiman,  stated that the conference aims to equip state ministries with the knowledge and tools to implement impactful policies and foster dialogue among stakeholders to advance legal, institutional, and social frameworks for inclusivity and justice.

The RoLAC II Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, operates in seven states—Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau—along with the Federal Capital Territory. The programme focuses on strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting human rights, aligned with the EU’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Nigeria (2022-2027).

Key discussion areas at the conference include: Comparative Analysis of National and Sub-National Legislative and Policy Frameworks, which identifies gaps in access and participation for women, children, and persons with disabilities; Access to Justice, Livelihood, and Protection, which provides strategies for legal and economic empowerment for marginalized groups; and Child Rights Implementation and Protection, which covers the establishment of Child Rights Implementation Committees, Family Courts, and support mechanisms for displaced and unaccompanied children.

Other key topics include the Minimum Standards for Borstal Homes and Correctional Facilities to ensure best practices in juvenile justice, and the Action Plan for Addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), aimed at strengthening coordination, monitoring, data collection, and establishing SARCs and State Sexual Offender Databases.