Category: SGBV & VAWG
Published: September 25, 2026
Author: Civil Centre for Peace, Justice and Development (CCPJD)
Reading Time: 8–10 minutes
Breaking the silence is important. Building systems that prevent violence, protect survivors and provide access to justice is essential.
Introduction
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is both a human rights concern and a major social, health and development challenge.
It can affect people in homes, relationships, schools, workplaces, communities and other settings. Women and girls experience a disproportionate share of gender-based violence, although men and boys can also experience sexual and gender-based violence. UN Women describes gender-based violence as harmful acts directed at an individual or group because of gender, rooted in gender inequality, abuse of power and harmful social norms.
In Nigeria, addressing SGBV requires more than responding to individual incidents. It requires prevention, public education, effective laws and institutions, accessible health and psychosocial services, legal assistance, survivor-centred support, community engagement and sustained action against the inequalities and harmful norms that allow violence to persist.
Available Nigerian data also illustrate the continuing challenge. UN Women’s Nigeria country profile reports that, in 2018, 13.2% of women aged 15–49 reported experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner during the previous 12 months. The same source notes continuing gaps in gender-equality legal frameworks and other indicators.
These figures should not be interpreted as a complete measure of the problem. Violence can go unreported for many reasons, including fear, stigma, economic dependence, lack of trust in institutions, concerns about retaliation and limited access to services.
Understanding SGBV is therefore an important first step toward prevention and meaningful action.
What Is Sexual and Gender-Based Violence?
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is an umbrella term for harmful acts committed against a person against their will and associated with gender or socially constructed gender roles and inequalities.
Gender-based violence can affect people of different ages and genders. However, women and girls are disproportionately affected by many forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). UN Women identifies gender inequality, discrimination and unequal distribution of power and resources as important underlying drivers of violence against women.
SGBV may include:
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence includes sexual acts or behaviour imposed on another person without freely given consent.
It can include rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, unwanted sexual contact and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity.
Sexual violence can occur between strangers, acquaintances, partners, spouses, relatives or other people known to the survivor.
Physical Violence
Physical violence involves acts intended to cause or attempt to cause physical injury.
Examples may include hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, burning or other forms of physical assault.
Psychological and Emotional Violence
Violence is not always visible.
Threats, intimidation, humiliation, coercive control, isolation and other behaviours intended to cause fear or emotional harm can have serious consequences for survivors.
Economic Violence
Economic abuse can involve controlling a person’s access to money or economic resources, preventing employment or education, or deliberately creating financial dependence.
UN Women identifies economic violence as one form of domestic and intimate-partner violence.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can occur in workplaces, educational institutions, public spaces, online environments and other settings.
It may include unwanted sexual comments, propositions, gestures, touching, messages or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
Harmful Practices
Depending on the context, gender-based violence may also intersect with harmful practices such as child or forced marriage and other practices that violate the rights, dignity or bodily integrity of women and girls.
Technology-Facilitated Violence
The digital environment has also created additional ways in which women and girls can experience harassment, threats, stalking, sexual exploitation, image-based abuse and other forms of technology-facilitated violence. UN Women notes that technology-facilitated violence can have consequences beyond the digital environment and affect women’s safety and participation both online and offline.
Who Is Affected?
SGBV can affect people across different ages, backgrounds and social circumstances.
Women and girls experience a disproportionate burden of many forms of gender-based violence, but men and boys can also be survivors, particularly of sexual violence and violence associated with gender expectations.
Particular circumstances can increase vulnerability.
These may include:
Poverty and economic insecurity
Displacement and humanitarian emergencies
Conflict and insecurity
Disability
Social exclusion
Age and dependency
Lack of access to education
Economic dependence on an abuser
Unequal power relationships
Limited access to justice
Weak protection mechanisms
Social stigma and discrimination
Children require particular protection because they may depend on adults for care, safety and access to essential services.
Humanitarian emergencies can create additional risks. UNFPA’s 2026 reporting on Nigeria, for example, has documented how conflict, displacement, economic hardship and climate-related shocks can heighten protection risks for women and girls and disrupt access to essential services.
Why Does SGBV Happen?
There is no single explanation for sexual and gender-based violence.
Violence is influenced by a combination of individual, relationship, community, institutional and broader social factors.
Gender Inequality
One of the central factors associated with violence against women is inequality between women and men.
Where women have less access to economic resources, decision-making, education, justice or social power, their ability to challenge abusive behaviour or leave unsafe situations may be reduced.
UN Women identifies gender discrimination, harmful social norms and unequal power as important underlying factors in violence against women.
Harmful Social Norms
Some social attitudes can normalize controlling behaviour, victim-blaming or the idea that violence is a private family matter.
Changing these attitudes is an important part of prevention.
Communities can play a significant role by challenging harmful norms and promoting respect, equality, accountability and non-violent relationships.
Economic Dependence
Economic dependence can make it difficult for a survivor to leave an abusive relationship or access services.
Economic empowerment alone does not eliminate violence, but improving access to education, livelihoods, financial resources and economic opportunities can strengthen people’s ability to make choices about their lives.
Silence and Stigma
Fear of shame, rejection, retaliation or disbelief can discourage survivors from reporting violence or seeking assistance.
This can allow abuse to continue and can make it more difficult for institutions to understand the full scale of the problem.
A survivor should never be blamed for the violence committed against them.
Weak or Inaccessible Support Systems
Even where laws and policies exist, survivors may face practical barriers to obtaining medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, protection and justice.
Nigeria’s SGBV response has involved multiple sectors, including health, justice, law enforcement and social services. UNFPA’s technical work on Nigeria has also identified challenges involving coordination, financing, technical capacity, forensic support and access to appropriate services.
This demonstrates why SGBV prevention and response cannot be left to one institution or sector alone.
What Are the Consequences?
The consequences of SGBV can extend far beyond the immediate incident.
Physical Consequences
Survivors may experience injuries, sexual and reproductive health consequences and other health problems.
Where medical attention is needed, timely and appropriate healthcare can be critical.
Psychological and Emotional Consequences
Survivors may experience fear, anxiety, distress, depression, trauma, isolation or other emotional and psychological difficulties.
The effects vary from person to person, and survivors should be supported without judgment.
Social Consequences
SGBV can affect relationships, education, employment, community participation and social wellbeing.
Stigma can further isolate survivors and discourage them from seeking help.
Economic Consequences
Violence can result in medical costs, legal expenses, loss of income, interruption of education and reduced economic participation.
At a wider level, violence also places pressure on health, justice and social-service systems and can affect productivity and community development. UN Women identifies these wider social and economic consequences as part of the broader impact of violence against women.
Intergenerational Consequences
Violence can also affect children and families.
Children who witness violence or experience abuse may require additional protection and support. Preventing violence therefore contributes not only to individual wellbeing but also to healthier families and safer communities.
What Can Communities Do?
Ending SGBV is not solely the responsibility of government agencies, police, courts or NGOs.
Communities have an important role to play.
1. Promote Awareness
Communities can educate people about human rights, consent, gender equality, child protection and available support services.
Accurate information helps people recognize harmful behaviour and understand where to seek assistance.
2. Challenge Victim-Blaming
Survivors should not be blamed for violence committed against them.
Questions such as what a survivor wore, where they went or why they remained in a relationship can shift responsibility away from the person who committed the violence.
The responsibility for violence belongs to the perpetrator.
3. Encourage Safe Reporting
Communities should support survivors who choose to seek help rather than intimidating, shaming or silencing them.
Reporting mechanisms should prioritize safety, confidentiality and dignity.
4. Engage Men and Boys
Men and boys have an important role in preventing violence.
Positive models of masculinity, respect, equality, communication and non-violent conflict resolution can help challenge harmful gender norms.
5. Protect Children
Parents, schools, religious institutions, community organizations and other institutions should establish appropriate safeguarding measures for children.
Children should be taught age-appropriate concepts around safety, boundaries, respect and how to seek help.
6. Support Survivors
Communities can help survivors connect with appropriate health, psychosocial, legal and protection services.
The international Essential Services Package developed by UN agencies emphasizes coordinated services across health, social services, police and justice sectors.
7. Work With Community Leaders
Traditional, religious, youth, women’s and community leaders can help challenge harmful practices, promote peaceful relationships and encourage people to seek appropriate support.
What Can Institutions Do?
Preventing and responding to SGBV requires coordinated institutional action.
Government
Government institutions have responsibilities relating to legislation, policy, prevention, service provision, protection, justice and accountability.
Effective responses require appropriate resources, trained personnel, functioning referral systems, accessible services and reliable data.
Law Enforcement and Justice Institutions
Police and justice institutions should provide safe and accessible mechanisms for reporting and responding to violence.
Survivors should be treated with dignity and their cases handled in accordance with applicable law and due process.
Health Institutions
Healthcare providers can play an important role in providing medical care, identifying protection needs, documenting cases appropriately and connecting survivors with other services.
UNFPA’s Essential Services Package emphasizes the importance of coordinated health, social-service, police and justice responses.
Schools and Educational Institutions
Schools can contribute through safeguarding systems, age-appropriate education, reporting mechanisms and referral pathways.
Teachers and administrators should know how to respond appropriately when concerns about abuse arise.
Civil Society Organizations
Civil society organizations can contribute through:
Community education
Advocacy
Legal assistance and referrals
Survivor support
Research
Policy engagement
Capacity building
Monitoring and accountability
Community mobilization
Private Sector
Businesses can strengthen workplace policies against sexual harassment and discrimination and establish appropriate reporting and response mechanisms.
Companies can also support community programs addressing gender equality and violence prevention.
Prevention Must Go Beyond Response
Responding to violence after it occurs is essential, but prevention is equally important.
Prevention means addressing the conditions that allow violence to occur in the first place.
This includes:
Promoting gender equality
Challenging harmful social norms
Improving economic opportunities
Strengthening child protection
Increasing awareness of rights
Improving access to justice
Strengthening institutions
Engaging men and boys
Supporting women’s leadership and participation
Building safer communities
UN Women emphasizes that prevention requires addressing structural causes, risk factors and social norms associated with violence, alongside effective laws and investment in women’s organizations and equality initiatives.
The Importance of Survivor-Centred Support
Anyone experiencing violence deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
A survivor-centred approach means that support should take into account the survivor’s safety, choices, privacy, dignity and individual circumstances.
It also means avoiding actions that could expose a survivor to further harm.
Support may involve appropriate connections to:
Medical services
Psychosocial support
Legal services
Protection services
Law enforcement where appropriate
Safe accommodation or shelter where available
Social services
Community-based support
The exact services available differ by location, and survivors should be connected with qualified and appropriate service providers.
CCPJD should ensure that any referral information published on this website is verified, current and regularly reviewed.
CCPJD’s Approach
From Awareness to Action
The Civil Centre for Peace, Justice and Development (CCPJD) recognizes sexual and gender-based violence as a human rights, justice and development concern.
Our work is focused on addressing the conditions that allow violence, discrimination and inequality to persist while supporting practical approaches to prevention, awareness, advocacy and access to justice.
Taking Action Against VAW/G
In 2018 and 2019, CCPJD implemented the “Taking Action Against VAW/G” initiative, focusing on preventing and addressing violence against women and girls.
This work forms part of CCPJD’s broader commitment to promoting gender equality, protecting human rights and strengthening access to justice.
Our Approach Includes
Awareness
We promote knowledge about human rights, gender equality, violence prevention and available protection mechanisms.
Advocacy
We engage stakeholders and advocate for stronger systems, policies and practices that protect vulnerable people and promote equality.
Access to Justice
CCPJD has worked with justice-sector institutions and partners in initiatives aimed at improving access to legal assistance for women, girls and indigent persons.
Community Engagement
We believe sustainable change requires communities to participate in identifying problems and developing practical solutions.
Partnership
SGBV cannot be addressed by one organization alone.
Effective prevention and response require cooperation among government, justice institutions, healthcare providers, civil society, communities, development partners and other stakeholders.
Research and Documentation
CCPJD supports research and evidence-based advocacy to better understand the challenges affecting vulnerable populations and to strengthen practical responses.
A Collective Responsibility
Sexual and gender-based violence is not simply a private matter.
It is connected to human rights, equality, health, justice, economic opportunity and sustainable development.
Preventing violence requires individuals to reject abusive behaviour, communities to challenge harmful norms, institutions to provide effective protection and services, and governments and other stakeholders to strengthen laws, policies and systems.
Every person has a role to play.
We can build communities where violence is not normalized, survivors are treated with dignity, children are protected, women and girls can participate equally, and access to justice is not determined by social or economic status.
CCPJD: Advancing Rights. Promoting Justice. Building Peace.
CCPJD remains committed to working with communities, institutions and partners to advance human rights, gender equality, access to justice, peace and sustainable development.
Our goal is not only to respond to injustice, but to contribute to the systems, knowledge and community action needed to prevent it.
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If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual or gender-based violence, consider seeking help from an appropriate medical, psychosocial, protection, legal or law-enforcement service.
If there is an immediate threat to safety, contact the appropriate emergency service available in your location.
CCPJD should provide verified local referral contacts on this page once its service/referral network has been confirmed.
Related Resources
Understanding Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Why Access to Justice Matters for Women and Girls
Protecting the Rights of Vulnerable and Marginalized Communities
Building Peace Through Community Engagement
Child Protection and Community Responsibility
Human Rights and Sustainable Development in Nigeria
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