As the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN) has expressed grave concern over the escalating cases of violence against women globally.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, Prince Abidoye Akeem Olawale described recent figures released by the United Nations (UN) as deeply troubling, urging citizens to demand an end to violence against women and girls.
The latest report by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), titled Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides, reveals that one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or family member.
In 2023 alone, 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide, with 60 percent approximately 51,000 deaths resulting from violence by partners or family members.
The report also highlights regional disparities in femicide rates, with Africa recording the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related killings, followed by the Americas and Oceania. In Europe and the Americas, most domestic killings (64 percent and 58 percent, respectively) involved intimate partners, while in other regions, family members were the primary perpetrators.
These alarming statistics underscore the pervasive nature of femicide, the most extreme form of gender-based violence, and the urgent need for coordinated action to address the issue.
BAN has called for strengthened criminal justice systems to hold perpetrators accountable and improved support systems for survivors, including accessible and transparent reporting mechanisms.
Prince Abidoye Akeem Olawale emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of violence, including gender inequality, power imbalances, and harmful cultural norms. He urged governments, communities, and stakeholders to adopt holistic strategies that combine prevention, protection, and accountability measures.
As part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, BAN has joined the global movement to renew commitments and demand urgent action from policymakers. With the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaching in 2025, the group sees this as a critical opportunity to allocate resources towards ending violence against women and girls.
BAN is rallying everyone to amplify their voices through campaigns such as #NoExcuse and #16Days and take concrete steps toward building a world where no woman or girl lives in fear of violence.
