The #HerStoryOurStoryNG campaign seeks to challenge the persistent cycle of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. The campaign was initiated in 2018 with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.
Sexual and gender-based violence is widespread in Nigeria. It is reported that up to one third of Nigerian women have been subjected to some form of violence and one in five has experienced physical violence.
In spite of the problem, there are still limited facilities to help victims. Furthermore, very few cases of sexual violence and rape are prosecuted. Many victims are reluctant to report crimes for fear of the social stigma associated with rape. Even when cases are reported, police response/investigation is weak, with the police also complicit in our society’s tendency to blame the victim and excuse the perpetrator.
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
- To increase public awareness about sexual assault and violence against women and girls as a human rights issue.
- To counter persistent cycles of sexual and gender-based violence, victim-blaming and the culture of silence.
- To engage federal and state governments as well as justice service providers to commit to strengthening medical, psychosocial, justice, and social welfare responses for victims of sexual violence.
- To raise awareness of the sexual assault referral centres (SARCs).
- To promote dialogue among SARCs, government institutions, and other stakeholders to strengthen support services provided to survivors of sexual violence.
- To call on state governments to fund, sustain and replicate SARCs.
