Nigeria recorded a significant decline in reported cases of violence and discrimination against women between April 2025 and April 2026, with 81 per cent reduction across key categories of abuse and rights violations.

The figures Indicate a significant reduction in reported violations during the period under review, suggesting progress in efforts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and other forms of discrimination affecting women and girls across the country.

However, while the figures suggest progress in addressing violations against women, gender advocates have warned against relaxing efforts too soon, stressing the need for sustained action to tackle the root causes of abuse, strengthen protection systems, and ensure lasting progress in the fight against violence against women.

An analysis of NHRC data revealed that reported cases fell from 11,667 in April 2025 to 2,212 in April 2026, indicating a substantial decrease in incidents involving gender-based discrimination, harmful cultural practices, forceful marriage, violations of sexual and reproductive rights, denial of access to children, inheritance-related abuses, abandonment, and trafficking of women.

The figures suggest progress in ongoing efforts by government agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and promote the rights and protection of women and girls across the country.

A breakdown of the data showed that gender-based discrimination remained the most reported violation despite recording a significant decline. Cases dropped from 1,739 in April 2025 to 752 in April 2026, representing a reduction of more than 56 per cent.

The harmful cultural practices, which often include widowhood rites, female genital mutilation, discriminatory inheritance customs, and traditional practices that undermine the dignity, health, and rights of women and girls, fell from 1,571 in April 2025 to just 79 in April 2026.

Similarly, cases of forceful marriage dropped sharply from 1,608 in April 2025 to 96 in April 2026. Also, violations involving sexual and reproductive rights declined from 1,376 in April 2025 to 362 in April 2026.

The number of women denied access to their children also reduced from 1,422 in April 2025 to 246 in April 2026.

The data further showed that cases involving abandonment of women declined from 1,422 in April 2025 to 436 in April 2026. Inheritance-related abuses declined among the categories from 969 in April 2025 to 54 in April 2026.

Human trafficking remains a serious concern in Nigeria, with women and girls frequently targeted for sexual exploitation, forced labour, and other forms of abuse. The number of reported incidents dropped from 1,560 to 187.

Mixed Trends in Early 2026

Despite the year-on-year decline, NHRC data showed that several categories of violence and discrimination increased during the first quarter of 2026 before dropping significantly in April.

Gender-based discrimination rose from 891 cases in January to 1,300 in February and 1,352 in March.

Harmful cultural practices increased from 148 cases in January to 160 in March, while forceful marriage cases rose from 182 in January to 211 in March.

Violations involving sexual and reproductive rights also increased steadily during the period, rising from 448 cases in January to 677 in March.

Similarly, trafficking cases climbed from 262 in January to 306 in March, while abandonment-related complaints rose from 580 to 754 within the same period.

The March figures had raised concerns among stakeholders who feared that violence against women was worsening. However, the sharp decline recorded in April 2026 suggests that interventions by relevant authorities and advocacy groups may have contributed to reducing reported cases.

Violence Against Women Still Raises Concerns

The Federal Government has raised concerns that increasing violence against girls, the growing rate of child marriage, limited access to education, and worsening family instability could negatively affect Nigeria’s long-term social and economic progress.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while speaking at a high-level intergenerational dialogue, stated that millions of Nigerian children, especially girls, continue to encounter systemic challenges that threaten their safety, wellbeing, and future contributions to national development.

She noted that despite existing legal and policy frameworks, abuse, exploitation, and educational exclusion remain widespread across the country, especially in underserved communities.

“Our mission is to move from data to dignity,” she said, adding that the government was acting “with the speed and precision required to protect the over 100 million Nigerian women and girls whose futures depend on our resolve.”

Experts Call for Sustained Action

Gender rights advocate Joyce Amadu said the decline in reported cases should not be interpreted as the end of violence against women, noting that many incidents still go unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of access to justice.

According to her, deeply rooted social norms and discriminatory attitudes continue to enable various forms of abuse against women and girls.

“Many of these abuses persist because society continues to normalise discrimination against women. We must begin to challenge harmful cultural practices, support survivors, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” she said.

She also emphasised the importance of strengthening legal protections, improving law enforcement responses, and expanding support services for survivors.

Amadu further called for increased investment in girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment programmes. She advised that financial independence can help women escape abusive relationships and reduce their vulnerability to exploitation.

“When women have access to education, jobs, and support systems, they are less vulnerable to forced marriage, trafficking, and other forms of exploitation,” she added.

Mrs Adeola Adetola, a women and girls’ rights advocate, mentioned that the reported 81% decline in violence against women is encouraging, but warned that the progress could be reversed without sustained intervention and deeper structural reforms.

“The reduction should be seen as progress, not victory. We should understand that many cases of abuse still go unreported. An 81% decline is significant on paper, but it does not mean the problem is solved.

“Many times, violence against women is often hidden, and many survivors never come forward. We need consistent enforcement of laws and continuous advocacy.” She said. (Weekend trust)

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