WHO

Cervical Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know

Cancer, Community Development, Cultural practices in Africa, Female Genital Mutilation, Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, Girl Education, Health, Menstrual Health and Hygiene, Monday Health Burst, Stop FGM, VVF, WHO, Women, Women Education /

Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern for women both globally and in Nigeria, yet it is largely preventable and treatable when detected early. Understanding its causes, risk factors, prevention strategies, and interventions is critical for improving women’s health outcomes. Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina and is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. In 2022, an estimated 660,000 new cervical cancer cases were reported globally, with about 350,000 deaths attributed to the disease, largely in low- and middle-income countries due to disparities in prevention and care access [1].

Almost all cervical cancers, over 99%, are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. While most HPV infections are naturally cleared by the immune system, persistent infection with oncogenic HPV types, particularly HPV 16 and 18, can lead to abnormal cell changes and eventual cancer over many years if not identified and treated [2]. Beyond HPV infection, several factors increase the risk of cervical cancer in women. HIV infection and weakened immunity accelerate cancer progression [1]. Smoking impairs immune response and promotes cellular changes [3]. Early onset of sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, and long-term use of certain hormonal contraceptives also contribute to heightened risk [4].

Cervical cancer is highly preventable and much more treatable when detected early. HPV vaccination, administered to girls typically aged 9 to 14, is highly effective at preventing infections that cause most cervical cancers [1]. Regular screening through Pap smears or HPV tests allows for the detection of precancerous changes before they progress to cancer, significantly improving treatment outcomes [2]. Despite these preventive measures, in Nigeria, cervical cancer remains the second most frequent cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related death [5]. Awareness and screening uptake are low, particularly in rural areas, due to financial barriers, limited access to screening facilities, and insufficient information about prevention [6].

To further reduce the burden of cervical cancer, it is essential to scale up HPV vaccination campaigns targeting adolescent girls before exposure to the virus, expand the availability and affordability of cervical cancer screening at primary healthcare levels, and strengthen health education to promote understanding of cervical health through sustained community engagement. Addressing gender and social barriers that limit women’s access to preventive care is also critical. Cervical cancer should not be a life sentence. With knowledge, preventive action, and supportive community health services, every woman can protect her health and future.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer fact sheet. Dec 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-%28hpv%29-and-cervical-cancer
  2. World Health Organization. Cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and screening overview. Available from: https://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/diagnosis-screening/cervical-cancer/en/
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cervical Cancer Risk Factors. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/cervical-cancer/risk-factors/index.html
  4. National Cancer Institute. Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention
  5. World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Cervical cancer early detection saves lives (Nigeria). Available from: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news/cervical-cancer-early-detection-saves-lives
  6. The Guardian (Nigeria). Screening, awareness gaps slow cervical cancer elimination. Available from: https://guardian.ng/features/health/screening-awareness-gaps-slow-cervical-cancer-elimination/

 

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When Healthcare Costs Become a Form of Bias

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When healthcare costs rise beyond the reach of ordinary people, they silently become a form of bias one that decides who lives, who suffers, and who is forced to endure preventable pain. In Nigeria today, access to quality healthcare is increasingly determined not by need, but by ability to pay. For millions of women and girls, especially in low-income and underserved communities, the cost of care has become a cruel barrier that denies them their most basic right: the right to health. This hidden injustice affects lives, futures, and communities.

The impact of this bias is devastating. Pregnant women delay antenatal care because consultation fees are unaffordable, adolescent girls are denied reproductive health services, and survivors of gender-based violence cannot access timely medical attention due to cost. These barriers fuel inequality, worsen health outcomes, and perpetuate cycles of suffering. When healthcare becomes a privilege instead of a right, women and girls bear the heaviest burden, trapped in a system that marginalizes them and ignores their dignity.

The financial strain of out-of-pocket spending is crushing. Families are forced to choose between food, education, and medical care, often at the expense of women and girls. This reality exposes a health system that has failed to protect those most vulnerable, leaving them at risk of illness, neglect, and further gender-based harm. A functional, responsive healthcare system should uplift women and girls, not push them into vulnerability. Every woman and girl deserve care, respect, and protection regardless of income.

The Nigerian government must act decisively. Investing in maternal, reproductive, and gender-sensitive health services, strengthening primary healthcare, implementing effective insurance schemes, and ensuring accountability at every level are not optional, they are urgent obligations. Health must be treated as a national priority, because no society can prosper while its women and girls remain unwell, unprotected, and underserved. A fair and just society is one where access to healthcare is based on need, not income. Ending cost-driven bias in healthcare requires collective action from policymakers prioritizing women’s health financing, to institutions delivering quality care, to communities demanding equitable systems.

The call to action is clear: the government, stakeholders, and citizens must commit to ensuring healthcare is affordable, accessible, and equitable for all. Healthcare should heal, protect, and empower women and girls, and not discriminate against them. Until costs no longer determine who can access care, gender-based bias will continue to persist quietly, unfairly, and at an unacceptable human cost.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-base violence and gender-bias.

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Ensuring Health Services Reach Everyone

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Ensuring that health services reach everyone remains one of the world’s most urgent development challenges, especially as global progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) continues to slow. Worldwide, more than 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, leaving millions at risk of preventable illness and financial hardship [1]. Although the global service coverage index has risen from the mid-50s in 2000 to around 71 in 2023, the gains remain uneven and fragile [2]. In Nigeria, persistent gaps in primary healthcare, maternal and newborn services, limited staffing, shortages of essential supplies and unreliable electricity continue to restrict access for many communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas [3,4].

Electricity is one of the most basic requirements for safe and functional health care. In many low-resource settings, including parts of Nigeria, frequent power interruptions limit the ability of facilities to conduct safe night-time deliveries, sterilize equipment, store vaccines, or run lifesaving laboratory tests. Evidence shows that roughly one-third to two-fifths of Nigeria’s primary health care centres still lack stable electricity, forcing some to rely on kerosene lamps, phone flashlights or fuel-powered generators that often fail when needed most [5,6]. Without reliable light and power, both mothers and newborns face heightened risks, and health workers struggle to provide the standard of care for which they are trained.

These structural challenges contribute to persistent health inequalities. Nigeria retains one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally, despite substantial global declines since the early 2000s [2,7]. Skilled birth attendance an essential determinant of maternal and newborn survival has improved in some regions but still varies widely across northern states, where many young women remain unable to access skilled care at birth [4]. Preventive services such as immunisation have also fluctuated, with pandemic-related disruptions causing setbacks. Although recovery efforts are ongoing, routine immunisation coverage remains below global and regional benchmarks, leaving children in remote communities at disproportionate risk [3,8].

Nonetheless, evidence from recent interventions demonstrates that targeted, practical investments can quickly strengthen essential health services. Solar electrification of primary health care facilities, particularly through durable systems designed for maternal and emergency care, has been shown to improve night-time service delivery, stabilize cold-chain systems and increase overall service availability [6,9]. When paired with training and continuous supervision, such interventions support proper equipment use, routine maintenance and long-term sustainability an approach consistently endorsed by global health experts and backed by facility-level assessments [7]. Furthermore, integrating community engagement, leadership participation and strong referral mechanisms encourages service uptake and strengthens public trust.

To accelerate progress, policymakers, donors, and community leaders must prioritize primary healthcare revitalization, commit to electrifying facilities, invest in continuous staff training, and support service delivery models proven to work. Ensuring that health services reach everyone is both achievable and urgent. With collective action, equitable investment and strengthened partnerships, Nigeria can move closer to a future where every individual regardless of geography or socioeconomic status receives the essential care needed to live a healthy and dignified life.

 

References

  1. World Health Organization. Universal health coverage (UHC) fact sheet. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-%28uhc%29
  2. World Bank. Tracking Universal Health Coverage — 2025 Global Monitoring Report. 2025 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/universalhealthcoverage/publication/2025-global-monitoring-report-gmr
  3. WHO. Nigeria Country Health Profile — Health System Performance, Immunisation & Primary Care Indicators. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/countries/nga
  4. Afape AO, et al. Prevalence and determinants of skilled birth attendance among young women in Northern Nigeria. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11389318/
  5. World Health Organization. Electricity in health-care facilities. 2023 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electricity-in-health-care-facilities
  6. Sustainable Energy for All. Powering primary healthcare in Nigeria. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.seforall.org
  7. World Bank. Maternal mortality ratio — Nigeria. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT?locations=NG
  8. UNICEF. Immunisation data and analysis. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/immunization/
  9. Nigeria Health Watch. Solar power solutions for primary healthcare centres. 2024 [cited 2025 Dec 12]. Available from: https://articles.nigeriahealthwatch.com/a-solar-power-project-is-keeping-primary-healthcare-centres-running-in-abuja/

 

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UHC Day 2025: Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!

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Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is a global reminder that access to quality health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. This year’s theme, “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!”, speaks directly to one of the biggest barriers facing millions of Nigerians: skyrocketing healthcare costs and the widening gap between health needs and the ability to pay.

While achieving UHC requires multisectoral commitment, one of the most critical systems needed to bridge this gap is health insurance, an essential mechanism designed to protect individuals from financial hardship, ensure continuity of care, and promote equitable access to essential services. Yet, despite the existence of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and state-level schemes, enrolment remains abysmally low. Out-of-pocket payments still account for over 76% of total health spending in Nigeria, pushing millions deeper into poverty every year.

Health insurance providers cannot succeed alone; they face chronic underfunding, limited subsidies, weak enforcement, and low public awareness. Sustainable progress requires stronger government leadership, increased premium subsidies for the poor, upgraded health facilities, and digital systems that make enrolment seamless.

Yet progress is possible, and CFHI is proving it every day.

Through relentless community mobilization and strategic partnerships with philanthropists like Satoshi Koiso and development partners such as the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), CFHI has successfully enrolled 224 vulnerable individuals into NHIA-supported health coverage this year alone.

These are not just numbers.

They are mothers who no longer skip medication.

They are children who can see a doctor without their parents selling assets.

They are families now protected from choosing between medicine and food.

Health insurance must be affordable, accessible, and functional for every Nigerian. It is not just a policy tool; it is a lifeline that protects households from falling into poverty and guarantees timely care, especially for vulnerable groups.

On UHC Day 2025, our message is unequivocal:

No Nigerian should be denied quality care because they cannot afford it.

We call on federal and state governments to:

  • Fully subsidize premiums for low-income and vulnerable households
  • Strengthen primary health care facilities that deliver insured services
  • Enforce mandatory coverage and streamline digital enrolment

It is time to end the era of unaffordable health costs.

Health care is a right for every Nigerian, irrespective of socio-economic status.

Together, we can make “We’re sick of it” a rallying cry that finally delivers results.

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Protecting Our Children from Common Illnesses

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Children remain highly vulnerable to common illnesses, and preventing these diseases is essential to safeguarding their growth and wellbeing. In Nigeria, infections such as diarrhea, malaria, and acute respiratory infections continue to be among the leading causes of sickness and death in children under five, despite being largely preventable. Evidence shows that environmental and structural factors contribute significantly to this burden. Research highlights that improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are strongly associated with reduced childhood diarrhea and respiratory infections (1). Additionally, findings from Nigeria’s Demographic and Health Surveys indicate that poor housing conditions including overcrowding and inadequate ventilation are major predictors of child illness across the country (2).

The impact of these illnesses extends far beyond short-term discomfort. Children who frequently experience diarrhea or respiratory infections are at increased risk of stunting, and spatial health research in Nigeria reveals that these conditions often overlap, creating compounded threats to child growth and development (3). Preventable infections such as measles also have long-term consequences on immunity and overall health in later life, as demonstrated in studies tracking early-life measles exposure (6). Even though effective vaccines exist, childhood immunization coverage remains suboptimal in many regions, prompting the introduction of innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence systems to increase vaccine uptake (5). Reliable hospital data further confirm that pneumonia, malaria, and diarrheal diseases remain major contributors to child mortality in Nigerian healthcare settings (4). Alongside medical treatment, community-based interventions such as hygiene promotion, nutrition counselling, and timely referral are essential to reducing morbidity. Globally, standardized caregiver resources like UNICEF’s “Facts for Life” continue to guide families on preventing and responding to common childhood illnesses (7).

The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) plays a critical role in reducing the burden of childhood illnesses through targeted community programs. CFHI supports maternal, newborn, and child health activities, including MNCH weeks where children receive essential interventions such as vaccinations, deworming, vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring, and malnutrition screening (8). The organization also drives WASH improvements aimed at reducing disease spread and implements extensive community health education on hygiene, sanitation, immunization, and early care-seeking. Through capacity-building efforts, CFHI strengthens the skills of health workers and volunteers to deliver quality child health services (9). CFHI’s approach is evidence-based and community-centered, ensuring that interventions respond to local needs and contribute meaningfully to child survival and development.

Protecting children from preventable illnesses requires collective responsibility. Caregivers should ensure full vaccination, practice proper handwashing, maintain clean household environments, and seek medical care early when their children show signs of illness. Community members must actively share health information and support local awareness programs. Policy and government actors should invest in clean water systems, sanitation infrastructure, and housing improvements to create healthier environments for children. Finally, individuals and organizations can strengthen CFHI’s efforts by volunteering, partnering, or supporting programs that promote child health. Together, these actions can secure a safer, healthier future for every child.

 

References

  1. Oyebanji TO, Chandra-Mouli V. Burden of Common Childhood Diseases in Relation to Improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) among Nigerian Children. PubMed [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29895758/
  2. Olusanya BO, Odeyemi OA, Abimbola S, Adebowale SA. Housing conditions as predictors of common childhood illness: Evidence from Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys, 2008–2018. PubMed [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33476186/
  3. Gai T, Cunningham E, Chukwuogo O, et al. Spatial Co-Morbidity of Childhood Acute Respiratory Infection, Diarrhoea and Stunting in Nigeria. PubMed [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35162859/
  4. van den Berg GJ, von Hinke S, Vitt N. Early life exposure to measles and later-life outcomes: Evidence from the introduction of a vaccine. arXiv [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.10558
  5. Kehinde O, Abdul R, Afolabi B, et al. Deploying ADVISER: Impact and Lessons from Using Artificial Intelligence for Child Vaccination Uptake in Nigeria. arXiv [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.00017
  6. Morbidity and Mortality Pattern of Childhood Illnesses Seen at the Children Emergency Unit of Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Nigeria. AMHSR [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://www.amhsr.org/articles/morbidity-and-mortality-pattern-of-childhood-illnesses-seen-at-the-children-emergency-unit-of-federal-medical-center-asaba-nigeria.html
  7. Facts for Life. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facts_for_Life
  8. Centre for Family Health Initiative. 2020 Annual Report. Abuja: CFHI; 2020. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://www.cfhinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CFHI_2020-Annual-Report.pdf
  9. Centre for Family Health Initiative. Who We Are. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 23]. Available from: https://www.cfhinitiative.org/who-we-are/

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Community Development, Gender, Health, Health Communication, Healthy Dieting, Hygiene, Men, Men's Health, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst, Nation Building, WHO /

Hygiene and Health for Every Man

Good hygiene is not only a personal responsibility but a fundamental aspect of disease prevention, dignity, and overall well-being for men across all ages. Research shows that poor hygiene contributes significantly to the global burden of infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization, inadequate hygiene practices account for nearly 432,000 deaths annually from diarrheal diseases alone (1) with millions more suffering from preventable infections linked to poor personal and environmental hygiene. Studies also reveal that men are statistically less likely than women to engage in consistent hygiene routines, including regular handwashing, oral care, and preventive health screenings. A 2022 global survey noted that over 65% of men admit to skipping basic hygiene routines (2) increasing their vulnerability to infections, skin diseases, urinary tract complications, and communicable illnesses. Poor hygiene also affects mental health, social interactions, productivity, and overall quality of life, especially in environments where men are primary earners and caregivers.

The implications of poor hygiene for men extend far beyond physical health. Lack of proper personal and environmental cleanliness can affect workplace productivity, family health, and community wellness. For example, studies show that effective handwashing alone can reduce respiratory infections by over 21% (3) yet many men either neglect this simple act or lack access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities. Globally, 3.5 billion people still lack safe sanitation (4) and this affects men in marginalized communities disproportionately, often exposing them to contaminated environments and increasing their risk of illness. Oral hygiene is another overlooked aspect; research indicates that men are 40% less likely than women to seek dental care (5) leading to higher rates of gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Hygiene is not just cleanliness it is a cornerstone of preventive health.

As we commemorate International Men’s Day and World Toilet Day, we encourage, admonish, and advise men everywhere to stay true to hygiene and neatness. Cleanliness is strength. Hygiene is responsibility. And taking care of your health is an act of leadership and self-respect. Men must break free from harmful cultural norms that label hygiene awareness as weakness or unmanliness. True masculinity includes caring for one’s body, environment, and overall well-being. A healthy man becomes a healthier father, partner, colleague, and community member. The global theme for this period emphasizes dignity, safe sanitation, and improved well-being for everyone and men must be active participants in this movement.

Wash your hands often, maintain proper grooming, care for your oral health, keep your environment clean, use toilets responsibly, practice safe sanitation, and seek regular health checks. Small habits save lives. Hygiene is health, and health is power. Let this be a reminder that healthier men build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger nation.

For enquiries, partnerships, or to invite CFHI for sensitization programs, kindly contact us via: info@cfhinitiative.org 

 

References

  1. World Health Organization. Diarrhoeal disease. 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease
  2. Global hygiene behaviours survey results. 2022. Available from: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/health/articles-reports
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Show Me the Science – How to Wash Your Hands. 2023. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-handwashing.html
  4. World Health Organization & UNICEF. Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2023 update. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073347
  5. American Dental Association. Oral health and men’s health. 2022. Available from: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute

 

 

 

 

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Institutional Barriers to Eliminating Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria

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Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in Nigeria, cutting across age, class, religion, and region. Despite significant progress through policies such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 and the National Gender Policy, the persistence of GBV points to a deeper problem institutional barriers that hinder real progress. While advocacy, awareness, and community engagement have improved over the years, the systems designed to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable often fail to function effectively, leaving many victims without justice or support (WHO, UN Women Nigeria).

One of the major institutional barriers lies within the legal and policy framework itself. Although the VAPP Act was enacted at the federal level, its domestication across Nigeria has been uneven. Several states are yet to fully implement the Act, creating inconsistencies in protection and enforcement. Even where laws exist, weak sanctions, unclear definitions of offences, and a lack of gender-sensitive judicial processes often discourage survivors from seeking justice. Studies reveal that institutional delays, corruption, and lack of trust in law enforcement agencies further compound the challenge, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity while survivors continue to suffer in silence (UNIZIK Journal of Contemporary Law).

Another critical issue is institutional capacity and accountability. Many key institutions from the police and judiciary to hospitals and social welfare departments are under-resourced and poorly coordinated. A BMC Women’s Health (2025) study found that more than half of young women surveyed in Nigeria reported not knowing where or how to access post-violence services, indicating major gaps in awareness and accessibility. Furthermore, the lack of training among personnel on survivor-centred approaches leads to secondary victimization, where victims experience stigma, judgment, or even blame when they report abuse. Without adequate funding, coordination, and monitoring systems, institutions cannot effectively carry out their mandates in the fight against GBV (PubMed).

Institutional culture also plays a silent but powerful role. In many organizations and workplaces, gender inequality is embedded in the structure itself from male-dominated leadership to discriminatory workplace practices. Research in Nigerian universities has shown a high prevalence of sexual harassment and bullying, often perpetuated by hierarchical power systems that silence victims (BMC Women’s Health, 2021). The absence of internal reporting mechanisms, confidentiality policies, and disciplinary structures reinforces a culture of impunity. When institutions themselves tolerate or ignore acts of violence, it sends a dangerous message that such behaviour is acceptable or can be overlooked.

Finally, the lack of effective data systems and poor inter-agency coordination weaken national response efforts. Many institutions fail to collect or share accurate data on GBV cases, making it difficult to track progress or design informed interventions. Without reliable evidence, resource allocation becomes arbitrary, and survivors remain invisible in policy decisions (MDPI Social Sciences Journal). These systemic weaknesses mean that even well-intentioned programs struggle to achieve lasting change.

The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) continues to advocate for institutional reforms that promote gender equality, justice, and survivor centred GBV response systems. Through its gender norms interventions and community engagement projects, CFHI works to sensitize service providers, law enforcement officers, and community leaders on the importance of implementing the VAPP Act effectively. The organization also conducts awareness campaigns under its SpeakWednesday platform to highlight barriers that hinder justice for survivors. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, CSOs, and communities, CFHI contributes to strengthening institutional frameworks that ensure women and girls live free from violence and discrimination.

Eliminating GBV in Nigeria requires more than awareness it demands institutional transformation. Laws must not only exist but be enforced; systems must not only respond but protect. As CFHI and partners continue to push for accountability and systemic change, a safer, more equitable Nigeria becomes achievable for all.

References

  1. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015. Policy Vault Africa. Available from: https://policyvault.africa/wp-content/uploads/policy/NGA1408.pdf
  2. Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. National Gender Policy. Available from: https://nigeriarising.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/National-Gender-Policy.pdf
  3. World Health Organization (WHO). Violence against women. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
  4. UN Women Nigeria. Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria: Review of Institutional Responses. Available from: https://nigeria.un.org/en/222675-gender-based-violence-nigeria-review-institutional-responses
  5. Ezeibe CC. The Challenges of Implementing the VAPP Act in Nigeria. UNIZIK Journal of Contemporary Law. Available from: https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jcpl/article/download/6488/5405/14850
  6. BMC Women’s Health (2025). Institutional Barriers and Women’s Access to GBV Services in Nigeria. Available from: https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-025-03714-2
  7. PubMed Central. Barriers to Accessing GBV Services in Nigeria. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37830664/
  8. BMC Women’s Health (2021). Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Universities. Available from: https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-021-01273-w
  9. MDPI Social Sciences Journal (2024). Institutional Weakness and Gender-Based Violence Response in Nigeria. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/6/336
  10. Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI). Official Website. Available from: https://www.cfhinitiative.org/

TO BE CONTINUED…WATCH OUT FOR

NO 3 BARRIER

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

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“NO Means NO”

Today, the simple word “No” still struggles to carry the weight it deserves. For many young people, especially girls and young women, saying “no” can come with fear, pressure, or misunderstanding. Yet, “no” should be enough. It is a complete sentence one that should be heard, respected, and never questioned. As we continue to raise awareness around gender equality and safety, understanding the true meaning of consent and personal boundaries becomes essential for building a healthy society.

Consent is more than just permission; it is about respect, autonomy, and communication. It means that every person has the right to decide what happens to their body, their time, and their emotions. Consent must be freely given, not forced, tricked, or coerced. It cannot be assumed from silence or past behaviour, and it can be withdrawn at any time. In relationships, friendships, or social settings, learning to respect a person’s “no” whether spoken or unspoken reflects maturity and integrity.

Unfortunately, the statistics around consent violations remain alarming. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner 1. In Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that many incidents of sexual or domestic violence are never reported, often due to fear of stigma, shame, or disbelief 2. These figures highlight how deeply ingrained gender norms and societal silence can make it difficult for survivors to speak out and for young people to learn what healthy respect truly looks like.

For young girls, learning to say “no” and knowing that it must be respected is an important part of personal development and self-protection. Saying “no” is valid when faced with peer pressure to engage in sexual activity, when uncomfortable with unwanted touching, or when asked to share private information or photos online. “No” is equally powerful in social and emotional spaces: refusing manipulative statements like “If you love me, you’ll do it,” or declining invitations that compromise one’s comfort or safety. Every young person must understand that their voice matters, and their boundaries define who they are.

Equally important is educating boys and young men about consent, empathy, and accountability. True respect means not only hearing “no” but also actively seeking a clear and enthusiastic “yes.” It means understanding that real strength lies in restraint, understanding, and kindness not in control or pressure. When communities, schools, and families foster open conversations about respect and consent, they equip young people with the values needed to build relationships rooted in trust and equality.

Through our gender norms interventions, CFHI empowers young people with knowledge and confidence to challenge and transform harmful gender norms (especially those that disadvantage women and girls) while protecting respect, equality and fairness. Each adolescent club activity, school campaign, and community outreach brings us closer to a society where consent is understood, respected, and upheld where “NO” truly means “NO.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-base violence and gender-bias.

 

References

  1. World Health Organization. Violence Against Women: Key Facts. WHO, 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
  2. National Bureau of Statistics. National Survey on Domestic and Sexual Violence in Nigeria. Abuja: NBS; 2022. Available from: https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/1241055

 

 

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Systemic Barriers to Eliminating GBV in Nigeria

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  1. Weak Legal Frameworks and Poor Enforcement

Gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria is not only a symptom of individual wrongdoing it is a structural problem rooted in weak laws, uneven adoption of protections, and chronically poor enforcement. To end GBV we must look beyond individual cases and address how laws, institutions and social systems consistently fail survivors.

At the federal level, Nigeria enacted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015, a comprehensive law criminalizing many forms of GBV. Yet the VAPP is a federal law that must be domesticated (adopted) by state legislatures to take full effect in most states. Domestication has been inconsistent and slow: as recently as 2022–2023 different trackers and reports showed wide variation across states in adoption and implementation of VAPP-style protections. The patchwork adoption means many survivors still lack access to the full.

Even where anti-GBV laws exist, legal gaps remain. Some forms of abuse most notably marital rape are still not uniformly criminalized or enforced across Nigeria. Customary and religious legal systems in many communities treat marital relations as private and beyond criminal law, which results in survivors being denied legal redress. Research and rights reports document how legal definitions, exceptions, and cultural exclusions leave key protections unenforced or unavailable to many women and girls. (Human Rights Watch)

A law on the books means little if enforcement agencies are under-resourced, untrained, or indifferent. Investigations and prosecutions for GBV face multiple obstacles: victims face hostile or dismissive police responses, evidence is poorly collected or stored, and prosecution is slow or lacking. Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented cases in which survivors are shamed, blamed, or pressured to withdraw complaints outcomes that deter reporting and allow perpetrators to act with impunity. (Human Rights Watch)

“Survivors’ experiences show how enforcement failures deepen the harm. Human Rights Watch reported that a lawyer who helped a rape survivor in Enugu was herself assaulted after filing the complaint, exposing hostile treatment by police toward survivors and their advocates. Such incidents discourage reporting and let perpetrators act with near impunity.” (Human Rights Watch, Feb 6, 2020). Human Rights Watch

Effective GBV response requires functioning social services: emergency shelters, forensic and medical support, trauma counselling, and legal aid. In Nigeria these services are often underfunded, unevenly distributed, or run by civil society with precarious support. The result: even survivors who do report rarely receive the wraparound care needed for justice and recovery. Multilateral surveys during the COVID era showed the pandemic worsened women’s safety and access to services an acute example of how weak systems fail under stress.

Official statistics dramatically undercount GBV. Survivors often do not report abuse because they distrust institutions, fear stigma, or lack knowledge of legal options. In turn, poor data collection and fragmented record-keeping between police, health services and civil society hide patterns of violence and make evidence-based policy difficult. The lack of a centralized, trusted data system contributes to weak policy responses. (Human Rights Watch)

Civil society monitoring and journalistic investigations reveal spikes in femicide and intimate partner killings, prompting activists to call for emergency measures. These tragic outcomes are the predictable endgame of weak laws, poor enforcement, and under-resourced prevention and protection systems. Public outrage reflects not only grief but the recognition that structural failures make homes and communities unsafe for many women and girls. (The Guardian)

Reports by national and international organizations converge on several priorities:

  • Full domestication of VAPP-style laws in all states and harmonization with customary/religious systems to ensure survivors’ rights everywhere. (wfd.org)
  • Clear criminalization of all forms of GBV including marital rape and other forms often excluded by law. (Human Rights Watch)
  • Police and judicial reform, including specialized GBV units, survivor-sensitive investigation protocols, and fast-track prosecution for sexual and domestic violence. (Human Rights Watch)
  • Investment in survivor services medical forensic care, psychosocial support, shelters, and legal aid with sustainable public funding and coordination with civil society. (Amnesty International)
  • Robust data systems that unify reporting from police, health facilities and NGOs to produce reliable prevalence and response metrics. (UN Women Data Hub)

Nigeria’s VAPP Act and other legal instruments are important steps, but legal texts without consistent, rights-based enforcement become symbolic rather than transformative.

 

Bibliography

  • Partners Nigeria — VAPP Tracker (domestication status across states). (partnersnigeria.org)
  • WFD: Impact of the VAPP and related laws in 12 states (2023). (wfd.org)
  • Human Rights Watch — Violence against women pervasive in Nigeria (2019). (Human Rights Watch)
  • UN Women / Measuring the Shadow Pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19 in Nigeria (2021). (UN Women Data Hub)
  • Amnesty International — Nigeria reports on rights and GBV (2021/2023 reports). (Amnesty International)
  • The Guardian — Activists call for state of emergency over GBV in Nigeria (Feb 2025). (The Guardian)

 

TO BE CONTINUED…WATCH OUT FOR

NO 2 BARRIER

Systemic Barriers to Eliminating GBV in Nigeria Read More »

CFHI Participates in 2024 VAPP Act Validation Meeting

Gender, Gender Based Violence, Gender Equality, WHO, Women, Women's Rights /

CFHI Participates in Validation Meeting on the 2024 Annual Implementation Report of the VAPP Act

The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) joined other key stakeholders at the Validation Meeting on the 2024 Annual Implementation Report of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, held today at the NAPTIP Training Resource Centre, Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The meeting brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to review and validate progress made in implementing the VAPP Act across Nigeria. Discussions centered on strengthening coordination, addressing implementation gaps, and improving service delivery to survivors of gender-based violence.

CFHI’s participation underscores its ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting a society free from all forms of violence. Through collaboration and evidence-based advocacy, the organization continues to support national efforts in ensuring the effective enforcement of the VAPP Act.

By engaging in such strategic dialogues, CFHI reaffirms its role in driving accountability and fostering partnerships that protect the rights and dignity of all persons, particularly women and vulnerable groups. 

CFHI Participates in 2024 VAPP Act Validation Meeting Read More »

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