A recent study conducted by Olutoyin Ikuteyijo, a Doctor of Philosophy student, has highlighted the importance of establishing gender units within Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) to tackle issues related to Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV).
Focusing on adolescents living in slum areas of Agege, Lagos State, and Ibadan Southeast Local Council, Oyo State, the research findings were presented to an audience at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Among the attendees were research supervisors from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute at the University of Basel, Sonja Merten, and Prof. Nicole Hench-Probst, alongside Prof. Akanni Akinyemi from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Also present at the event were various stakeholders, including adolescent girls, young women, community leaders, religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), representatives from government ministries (Women Affairs, Health, Justice), Civil Defence, the Nigeria Police Force, and the family court.
Speaking at the presentation, Ikuteyijo noted that globally, violence remains a primary cause of death among adolescents. She further stressed the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare policies, particularly at PHCs, to address the needs of SGBV survivors.
Ikuteyijo also noted that in Nigeria, adolescent girls encounter increased challenges due to their gender and the prevailing patriarchal environment. These challenges manifest in various forms of SGBV, including intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape, and unprotected sex. The study identified factors such as low socio-economic status, education, social status, economic deprivation, and the inability to meet daily needs as predictors of SGBV experiences.
Tackling Sexual and Gender-based Violence: The Way Forward
Addressing the experience and survival of adolescent girls and stakeholders’ involvement in supporting SGBV survivors, Ikuteyijo remarked on the vulnerability of young people who cannot often advocate for themselves. She noted a concerning trend where perpetrators increasingly target younger adolescents, particularly those aged 14 and below. Ikuteyijo advocated for structural improvements in the referral system and urged collaboration between the legal system and stakeholders to enhance the response to SGBV cases.
In his speech, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Akanni Akinyemi, stressed the collective responsibility in addressing SGBV. He urged citizens not to solely blame the government but to actively engage in combating the culture of silence surrounding these issues.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Victoria Omoera, Reproductive Health Coordinator at Lagos State Ministry of Health, emphasized the significance of personnel training at PHCs, emphasizing the need for staff to be well-versed in the laws and policies concerning SGBV.
Stakeholders at the event also underscored the lack of support services available to SGBV survivors, attributing this to inadequate funding, lengthy justice processes, and limited awareness of SGBV policies among young people.
This event shows that there is a growing movement of people who care about creating a more positive and supportive environment for Sexual and Gender-based Violence survivors. We need to keep this momentum going and work with different partners to raise awareness, promote change, and support SGBV survivors. By lending our voices and actions, we can make a difference in building safer, more inclusive communities for everyone. Let’s keep the conversation going, push for action, and stand together against SGBV. We can create a better future when we share our commitment to respect, dignity, and justice for all.
