The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has restated the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to nurture and sustain the progress recorded by the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls in the country.


“Let us also recognize that the impact of our collective efforts extends far beyond the lifespan of this initiative. The seeds of change have been sown, and it is our responsibility to nurture and sustain the progress we have made”. He said at the handover ceremony of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to the government of Nigeria, held on 28 November, 2023 in Abuja.

 

The collaboration, according to him, provided not only financial support but also invaluable expertise and technical guidance. The Ministry of Justice, Fagbemi added, remains committed to upholding the principles of justice, equality, and human rights, ensuring that the legacy of the Spotlight Initiative lives on in the fabric of our society.

 

To underscore the commitment of the government, the Attorney General disclosed that the “Federal Government is currently installing one each of DNA Forensic Laboratory in the National Hospital, Abuja and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).”


Furthermore, he said that the Ministry, within the next few weeks would be launching a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Prosecution of School Related Gender Based Violence in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education, under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative funding. He added that the SOP would state guidelines for detecting and responding to GBV when it occurs in the nation’s schools.


UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mathias Schmale said the spotlight initiative has contributed to changing laws and policies and has also enabled almost 16,500 women and girls to receive vital services at its centers.

 

“Since the beginning of the project in Nigeria in 2019, it is fair to say we've made a tangible difference in the lives of many in Nigeria. The Spotlight Initiative has made allies of traditional rulers and religious leaders, it has contributed to combating harmful practices, data collection and in fact, Spotlight has supported the integration of One-stop centers into the health system and strengthened the voice of women’s movement.” He explained.

 

“Yet, many women and girls as you know remain vulnerable to gender-based violence in Nigeria, harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation is still prevalent in many regions. So, with spotlight coming to a close, what is important is that we secure commitment to continue the impact I've talked about.” Schmale said further.

 

European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi, stated that, “The Spotlight Initiative began with a global investment of 500 million euros because we are convinced that this is what is necessary to make a transformative change. Of the 500 billion euros, 25 million have been allocated to support the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria.”

 

She noted that a record number of 35 states have passed the VAPP act, making it the fastest bill to be passed at sub national level in the history of Nigeria.


Isopi added that the Spotlight Initiative had tested a new, holistic approach that brought all actors together to achieve critical results like the Child Rights Act which has been passed in almost all states. 

 

“Today is the moment to look ahead and reaffirm the commitment to eradicate sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria” she added.

 

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the Spotlight project has been launched with the noble goal of assisting Nigeria in building a society where every woman and girl, especially those most susceptible, can live without fear of violence and detrimental practices. 

 

“We are all aware that the project aims at supporting Nigeria to achieve a society where all women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable are free from violence and harmful practices such as domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence, early child marriage, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic exploitation through transformative interventions”.

 

According to Bagudu, represented by Director of International Cooperation of the Ministry, Dr. Lanre Adekanye, “the Government of Nigeria places high premium against all forms of violence against women and girls. The achievements of this project will no doubt serve as a base for strengthening capacity to investigate, prosecute, and prevent all forms of violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

 

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