SGBV in Nigeria: Statistics from Nigeria and how it affects our nation and communities 

In the bustling streets of Lagos, the quiet villages of Plateau State, and the urban centers across Nigeria, a silent crisis continues to ravage the lives of millions. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is not just a statistic, it is a lived reality that fractures the very foundation of our communities, leaving deep, often invisible scars. 

Imagine a young woman walking home at dusk, her steps quickening with every shadow. Picture a wife living in constant fear of her husband’s next outburst. These are not isolated stories but the daily realities of millions of Nigerians experiencing SGBV. It is an epidemic tearing through our society, demanding urgent attention. 

The Stark Reality: Numbers That Speak Volumes 

The statistics paint a sobering picture. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018-2023): 

• 35% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence. 

• 11% have endured sexual violence. 

• 32% of married women report spousal physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. 

These figures translate to approximately 22 million Nigerian women who have been violated, silenced, and traumatized. Each number represents a human life forever altered. 

Beyond the Statistics: The Human Cost 

A 24-year-old university student from Lagos, Sarah became a statistic when she was sexually assaulted by a fellow student. Like many survivors, she feared reporting the incident. Sarah’s story is not unique. The Nigerian Legal Aid reports that for every 100 sexual violence cases, only three are reported, and just one results in a conviction. The silence surrounding these cases perpetuates a culture of impunity. 

The Ripple Effect: Community and Economic Impact 

SGBV is not just a personal tragedy; it is a societal wound with severe economic implications: 

• Estimated productivity losses due to SGBV exceed ₦8.2 trillion annually. 

• The burden of healthcare costs for treating physical and psychological trauma is immense. 

• Workforce participation declines as survivors struggle with long-term mental and physical consequences. 

• The intergenerational cycle of trauma and violence continues, affecting future generations. 

A Global and Continental Crisis 

The United Nations Women’s reports from 2019-2023 reveal: 

• Globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence. 

• In Africa, the prevalence of violence against women ranges between 45-53%. 

• COVID-19 significantly exacerbated gender-based violence, with some regions witnessing up to a 60% increase in reported cases. 

Breaking the Silence: Cultural and Systemic Barriers 

In Nigeria, cultural norms often shield perpetrators and silence survivors. Victim-blaming, social stigma, and an ineffective legal system create a protective environment for abusers. Patriarchal structures normalize abuse, making justice an elusive dream for many survivors. 

Beyond physical harm, the psychological toll is devastating: 

• 72% of survivors experience long-term mental health challenges. 

• Many faces depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

• Increased risk of substance abuse and suicidal tendencies compounds the crisis. 

A Path Forward: Comprehensive Solutions 

1. Legal and Institutional Reforms 

• Governments need to work to strengthen sexual violence laws and implement mandatory minimum sentences. 

• The Judiciary needs to create specialized sexual violence courts for swift prosecution. 

• Our system must be developed to provide comprehensive victim support and protection mechanisms. 

2. Community and Social Interventions 

• Schools and communities need to implement comprehensive sexual education programs. 

• Families and society at large need to engage men and boys in challenging harmful cultural norms. 

• We need many more organizations to establish economic empowerment programs for survivors. 

3. Healthcare and Psychological Support 

• Our healthcare system needs to provide free trauma counseling services and long-term rehabilitation programs. 

• We need to train healthcare workers in trauma-informed care. 

• Our society needs to destigmatize mental health support for survivors. 

4. Technology and Innovation 

• We need to develop digital reporting platforms to facilitate anonymous reporting. 

• We must advocate for social media monitoring for online harassment prevention. 

• We need to utilize data analytics to track trends that would inform policy interventions. 

A Call to Collective Action 

SGBV is not just a women’s issue, it is a fundamental human rights challenge that demands our collective response. Every silent story, every unreported case, chips away at our societal integrity. We must move beyond passive observation to active change. By speaking up, supporting survivors, and challenging harmful norms, we can create a safer, more just Nigeria. 

The time for change is now. Our silence ends here. 

References 

Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018): National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF. 2019. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr359-dhs-final-reports.cfm 

UN Women Global and Regional Reports (2019–2023): UN Women. 2019. Progress of the World’s Women 2019–2020: Families in a Changing World. New York: UN Women. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2019/06/progress-of-the-worlds-women-2019-2020 

UN Women. 2023. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2023. New York: UN Women. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/09/progress-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-gender-snapshot-2023 

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (2022). Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in West Africa: Regional Trends and Interventions. Dakar, Senegal: UNFPA West Africa Regional Office. 

Legal Aid Nigeria. (2022). Barriers to Justice: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Accountability in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria: Legal Aid Council Research Department. 

World Health Organization Gender-Based Violence Studies (2019–2023): World Health Organization (WHO). 2021. Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018. Geneva: WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256v