Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Refutes Claims of SGBV Survivors Neglect
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The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA) has categorically denied allegations made in a recently circulated video claiming that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) under its care have been abandoned.
The Ministry described these claims as false and misleading, emphasizing that they undermine its ongoing efforts to protect and empower survivors.
In response to the allegations, the Ministry clarified its limited role in managing SGBV survivor support. According to the FMWA, state governments are constitutionally responsible for overseeing shelters and support systems for survivors.
The Federal Ministry itself operates only one temporary facility located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This shelter serves as an emergency transition space for high-risk cases and is not intended as a long-term care solution. Survivors are provided immediate support before transitioning to state or community-based facilities.
The Ministry highlighted significant actions it has taken to address SGBV challenges, including a nationwide needs assessment conducted in 2024 across Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, and the FCT. This initiative identified critical gaps in survivor services, enabling the Ministry to allocate resources effectively and strengthen collaboration with state authorities.
The Ministry also outlined its commitment to survivor care through emergency interventions and systemic reforms. Over the past year, survivors in the FCT shelter received psychosocial support, medical care, economic grants, and housing assistance.
By January 2025, all individuals in the shelter had transitioned to reintegration programs tailored to their needs. Further follow-ups, such as for a particularly vulnerable survivor in March 2025, demonstrated the Ministry’s dedication to providing extended care and rehabilitation support.
Additionally, the FMWA has been proactive in addressing, with efforts to finalize a National Action Plan on SGBV set for adoption in 2025. The Ministry has also partnered with stakeholders, including NAPTIP and civil society organizations, to standardize survivor care protocols and expand federal shelter capacity.
Rejecting the allegations as unfounded, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing gender-based violence in Nigeria. It encouraged the public and media to seek accurate information from official channels, underscoring that all cases brought to its attention are handled with urgency and care.
Signed by Dr. Maryam Keshinro, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the statement reinforces the Ministry’s dedication to evidence-based interventions and systemic reforms aimed at improving the welfare of SGBV survivors across the country.
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