The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence has once again drawn attention to the rising cases of abuse affecting women and children in Nigeria. Advocacy groups and human rights organisations say the Nigerian government must take stronger steps to protect vulnerable people. According to them, the campaign should not end with awareness alone—it must lead to real change at national, state, and community levels.

Many of the groups stressed that women and children continue to face different forms of violence, such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, harmful cultural practices, and early marriage. They noted that while laws exist, enforcement remains weak in several states. This gap has allowed abusers to escape accountability, leaving victims without justice or protection.

Activists are urging the government to declare the safety of women and children a national priority. They want improved funding for shelters, legal support, social welfare services, and community-led protection programmes. They also called for better training of security agencies so that victims are treated with dignity and their cases are handled promptly.

As the 16 Days of Activism continues, the groups emphasize that Nigeria must move beyond speeches and slogans. They insist that meaningful action—supported by political will—is needed to stop the cycle of violence. According to them, protecting women and children is not just a campaign theme but a responsibility that must be upheld every day across the country.