The Federal Government has called for strengthened institutional capacity and coordinated efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) within Nigeria’s health sector.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Health, Salma Anas, made the call during a two-day capacity-building workshop held in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), the workshop was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Health in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Education as a Vaccine.
Speaking at the opening session on Tuesday, Anas emphasised the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to effectively address GBV, noting that the issue cuts across homes, workplaces, and communities.
“Gender equity is not about taking over spaces but about making meaningful contributions while ensuring inclusion,” she said.
She further stressed that leadership positions must translate into measurable impact.
“It is not about the appointment; it is what we do with the opportunity. Responsibility comes with results,” Anas added.
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Participants at the workshop examined the scope and drivers of GBV, as well as the critical role institutions play in prevention and response.
A representative of the UNFPA highlighted that Gender-based violence remains one of the slowest areas of global progress, underscoring the urgency of sustained intervention.
“Prevention must remain the primary focus, supported by survivor-centred services, trained healthcare providers, and effective referral systems,” the representative said.
Stakeholders at the event called for increased investment in women’s leadership, stronger implementation of existing legal frameworks, and improved coordination among government agencies and development partners.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening GBV prevention and response mechanisms, particularly within Nigeria’s health sector, as part of broader efforts to promote gender equity and protect vulnerable populations.