The Federal Government has taken a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s protection framework for women and girls with the official launch of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia State.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman- Ibrahim fsi, described the establishment of the Centre as a strategic and necessary intervention in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which she noted remains pervasive, deeply underreported, and increasingly complex in both physical and digital forms.
“Today marks a major step in strengthening the protection architecture for women and girls in Nigeria,” the Minister stated. “The establishment of this Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides a safe, confidential, and integrated platform for medical care, psychosocial support, legal referral, and justice services for survivors.”
She emphasized that the Centre represents a structured, survivor-centred response embedded within Nigeria’s broader national social development framework.
The Minister disclosed that as of November 2025, Nigeria has fifty (50) Sexual Assault Referral Centres across twenty-four (24) States, collectively assisting over fifty-eight thousand (58,134) survivors. According to her, the figures remain insufficient compared to the magnitude of reported and unreported cases nationwide.
“A functional SARC ensures that survivors receive confidential, survivor-centred, and integrated services under one coordinated framework,” she said, noting that fragmented responses often compound trauma and weaken justice outcomes.
The Minister further highlighted the rising threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including cyberstalking, digital coercion, online trafficking, image-based abuse, and coordinated digital harassment.
“These emerging threats demand stronger institutional response systems that combine legal, psychosocial, medical, and digital protection mechanisms. This Centre is not only relevant for today’s realities but essential for addressing evolving forms of violence confronting women and girls.”
The Minister commended complementary programmes such as the Osusu Abaala Women Palm-Oil Collective, which aims to strengthen women’s incomes and reduce economic vulnerability—one of the root drivers of gender-based violence.
“When women are economically secure, socially organised, and institutionally supported, their exposure to exploitation, abuse, and dependency significantly declines,” she affirmed.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment, the Minister stated that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development remains focused on strengthening the national GBV response architecture through policy reforms, survivor support systems, data-driven coordination, and strategic partnerships under the Renewed Hope Social Development Agenda.
The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring 2026 as the Year for Social Development and Families, describing the declaration as a bold step toward repositioning protection services as a core pillar of national stability, human capital development, and social justice.
She expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Abia State for providing the enabling environment for the Centre’s establishment, noting that strong sub-national leadership is critical to building safe communities.
“To our development partners, service providers, and frontline responders, your commitment to survivor care, justice, and rehabilitation continues to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system. Your work restores hope, dignity, and confidence in public institutions,” she said.
In conclusion, the Minister made a declaration
“Silence, stigma, and impunity must no longer define the experience of survivors. Access to justice, care, and protection must become the national standard.”
She expressed confidence that it would operate with professionalism, confidentiality, accountability, and compassion.
“It must serve as a safe space for healing, a gateway to justice, and a model for replication across other States of the Federation,” she concluded.
Signed
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations FMWASD
