Stakeholders To Strengthen GBV Response In Nigeria

Stakeholders across government, civil society, faith-based organisations and the justice sector have endorsed a new framework aimed at strengthening institutional accountability in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

The framework, developed by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership (ACPL), was unveiled during a webinar organised to commemorate International Women’s Day, titled “Beyond the Conversation: Turning Women’s Rights into Measurable Action.”

Known as the Minimum Viable Gender-Based Violence Response Standard (MVRS), the framework seeks to establish a practical benchmark for how institutions respond to GBV cases. It focuses on strengthening prevention systems, reporting mechanisms, referral coordination, documentation practices and first-response protocols.

The standard is expected to guide community-facing institutions—including schools, health facilities, faith communities, civil society organisations and public agencies—in developing more structured and safer pathways for responding to GBV cases.

According to ACPL, the MVRS introduces clear entry points for survivors to disclose abuse while ensuring confidentiality and adherence to “do-no-harm” principles.

It also outlines escalation triggers for high-risk cases and establishes “warm referral” procedures that enable safe handovers to medical, legal, psychosocial and protection services.

Executive Director of ACPL, Chidinma Chidoka, said the initiative was designed to move conversations about women’s rights beyond advocacy to practical implementation.

“The MVRS sets a practical floor — the minimum steps institutions can take to improve consistency, coordination and safety-first response, even under constrained resources,” she said.

The dialogue featured contributions from key stakeholders, including Adijat Motunrayo, Dr. Nonyelum Elsie Nwokolo, Dr. Sumaye Hamza of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kemi Okenyodo of Partners West Africa Nigeria, and Dr. Kabura Zakama.

Discussions during the event focused on clarifying institutional responsibilities, strengthening referral pathways, improving first-response practices and building measurable accountability systems that protect survivors’ privacy.

ACPL said it would publish MVRS version 1.0, alongside a Pathway-to-Safety Resource Sheet and an event communiqué. The organisation also plans to track commitments made by participating institutions over a 60–90 day period to ensure that progress continues beyond International Women’s Day.

The centre reaffirmed its commitment to promoting evidence-based policy solutions and governance innovations that strengthen women’s safety and rights through measurable institutional action.