Front Row: The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN (Center); flanked by District Chair, Inner Wheel District 910, Felicia Agbonhese (Left) and the Founder, Educka Trauma Care Centre, Ene Ede (Right) at the event to unfold 16 days of Activism Against GBV. Photo credit: OPTIMUM TIMES, 21/11/2025
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged National Assembly to pass the Bill creating special constituencies for women.
The call was made while the Commission unfolds in Abuja, Friday, programmes in commemoration of the 2025 International Campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with the theme “UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS.”
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who released this year’s programme coinciding with the 30th anniversary of NHRC, insisted that failure to pass the Bill will amount to violation against women.
According to Dr. Ojukwu, “We are using this moment to renew our dedication to a Nigeria where violence, discrimination, and harmful practices have no place, and where women and girls can live free from fear.
“We use the opportunity to call on the National Assembly to pass the law creating special constituencies for women to aid more women participation in politics and governance. Refusal to do this constitutes violation against women because a refusal to implement Affirmative Action is a violence against women, which should be prohibited.”
Further, Dr. Ojukwu explained the significance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence as an important international campaign that was started by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) in 1991.
He said the 16 Days runs from November 25, (International Day against Violence against Women) to December 10, (International Human Rights Day) to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights.
Also, he said the 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1, which is World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989, when 14 women students were massacred by a lone gun-man opposed to the affirmative action policies promoted by feminists at the University of Montreal.
“Since it began, the 16 Days of Activism has been used as an organizing strategy by women’s groups to call for the elimination of violence against women by raising awareness about gender based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels; strengthening local work around violence against women; establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women; providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share effective strategies; demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women and creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women”, Dr. Ojukwu further explained.
Noting that GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world and in Nigeria, Ojukwu assured that NHRC stands firmly with survivors, with women and girls across the country, and with communities demanding justice, safety, and equality.
According to the programme, the key activities and dates include:
25 November: A road show in collaboration with CSOs, NBA/FIDA and partners, beginning from the NHRC State office and ending at the Office of the First Lady of the State, who will officially flag off the campaign in that State. This will be followed by an advocacy visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly of the State.
26 November: Nationwide engagements with Traditional Rulers and community structures in each of the States to examine sociocultural norms, policies, and state-level legislation that influence violence against women. This is supported by the Ford Foundation.
27 November: Advocacy visits to the Chief Judge of each State and/or the, Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court to emphasize the need for effective handling of SGBV cases.
28 November: Meetings with women and youth groups in each State to review life cases by victims and validate identified violations and deepen awareness on women’s rights and plan protection of victims including discrimination of such cases.
30 November – 2 December: Submission and Compilation of reports from engagement with traditional leaders, religious leaders, and documentation of harmful practices affecting women and children.
3 December: School outreach activities where students use drama and other creative presentations to raise awareness on SGBV, while other teams engage religious bodies such as CAN, Muslim associations and other faith-based organisations.
4 December: Further visits to health facilities to assess responses to SGBV and ensure availability of Post Exposure for Prophylaxis (PEP). This will be carried out in collaboration with FIDA, NBA, CSOs etc on the same date at Abuja headquarters. A High-Level Conference on Proportionate Force and Respect for Human Dignity will also be held in collaboration with Citizens FM Abuja. This conference will only take place in Abuja.
5 December: A media parley with stakeholders, NBA, FIDA, CSOs, and the Commission at State level to discuss key issues, legislation, and avenues for redress at the State level.
8 December: Advocacy visit by the State team to State Governors to present findings, summarizing all engagements at the State level.
This will coincide with the Human Rights Forum for MDAs and CSOs to be held in Abuja at the Continental Hotel, the forum will provide opportunity to brainstorm and assess human rights situation and chart a way forward for 2026.
9 December: State compilation of reports from the findings at the various States meetings and visits conducted. Communique is made ready for dissemination to the State Authorities.
10 December: A nationwide Human Rights Awareness rally across all 36 states and the FCT to commemorate International Human Rights Day. Messages from UN Secretariat, OHCHR and the Executive Secretary will be delivered at all state offices and Abuja headquarters.
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