The Federal Government has called for a whole-of-society approach to ending conflict-related sexual violence, urging stakeholders to strengthen prevention, protection and accountability measures to safeguard vulnerable populations across affected communities nationwide.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the call in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict globally, on Saturday in Abuja.
She said conflict-related sexual violence remained one of the gravest consequences of insecurity, terrorism, violent extremism and armed conflict, with far-reaching implications for peace, stability and national development efforts.
According to her, the crimes inflict lasting physical, emotional and psychological harm on survivors, while weakening families, destabilising communities and creating obstacles to recovery, reconciliation and social cohesion.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said women and girls bore the greatest burden of conflict-related sexual violence, although men and boys were also affected, often facing stigma and challenges in accessing support.
