The Federal Government has announced plans to establish dedicated GBV safe spaces in all 774 local government areas across Nigeria to improve protection, rehabilitation, and access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish dedicated gender-based violence (GBV) safe spaces in all 774 local government areas of Nigeria as part of a nationwide strategy to strengthen protection, rehabilitation, and support services for survivors.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Women Affairs, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the New Era Foundation as part of efforts to strengthen institutional response to gender-based violence across the country.
According to the minister, the plan forms a key component of the upcoming National Action Plan on GBV, which aims to decentralise access to emergency care and protection services for survivors at the grassroots level.
She explained that the proposed safe spaces would ensure that survivors can access immediate support, referral services, and protection within their local communities without delay.
The minister also disclosed that the government is planning regional mega-protection centres that will provide integrated services, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and rehabilitation under one roof.
In addition, mobile response teams under the “Women on Wheels” initiative will be deployed to reach underserved and hard-to-access communities with trauma-informed care and essential support services.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed concern over the rising prevalence of GBV cases in Nigeria, revealing that 2,755 cases were recorded between January and April 2026 alone.
She noted that this translates to an average of approximately 23 reported cases daily within the period under review.
According to her, women and girls accounted for more than 81 percent of documented survivors, while sexual violence made up about 82 percent of all recorded cases.
The minister also highlighted a major gap in the justice system, stating that only about four percent of formally reported GBV cases resulted in successful prosecution.
She described the situation as a critical challenge requiring stronger enforcement, improved accountability mechanisms, and expanded survivor support systems nationwide.
“This is a wake-up call. We must move beyond prevention to protection, rehabilitation and access to justice for survivors,” she said.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Muyi Aina, described gender-based violence as both a public health crisis and a human rights violation.
He noted that survivors often suffer long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences, underscoring the importance of integrated care systems.
According to him, the partnership will strengthen access to healthcare, counselling, legal assistance, rehabilitation, and empowerment services for survivors.
The New Era Foundation also confirmed that its facility in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, will be repurposed as a rehabilitation centre for GBV survivors, providing temporary shelter and recovery support.
A representative of the foundation, Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, said the centre would offer a safe environment for healing, recovery, and reintegration into society.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, including Permanent Secretary Esuabana Nko-Asanye, emphasized that collaboration among government institutions and development partners is essential to effectively addressing GBV challenges.
Stakeholders involved in the initiative pledged to strengthen coordinated responses aimed at improving protection, rehabilitation, and justice for survivors of gender-based violence across Nigeria.
The nationwide rollout of GBV safe spaces is expected to significantly expand access to support services and improve outcomes for survivors at the community level.
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