The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has firmly stated that the government has never abandoned victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
On Sunday March 9, in response to a misleading video suggesting otherwise, the Ministry has set the record straight, emphasising that it continues to provide unwavering support to survivors.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, she clarified that “the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, had on resumption visited the victims, and it was only after she took over at the Ministry that the victims began to have access to medical care, drugs, and improved social facilities.”
Dr. Keshinro reaffirmed that “the Ministry’s mandate includes strengthening policies and laws that ensure adequate protection of victims, rather than taking full custody of vulnerable individuals.” She further stressed that “the allegation of abandonment is therefore false.”
Government’s Commitment to SGBV Survivors
The Ministry expressed concern over a recent video claiming that victims in a shelter home had been abandoned. “We wish to categorically debunk this misinformation and set the record straight,” Dr. Keshinro stated. She reiterated that “contrary to the claims made, the government has been providing unwavering support to the victims in the shelter home. The Ministry has been working tirelessly to ensure that these vulnerable individuals receive the necessary care, protection, and empowerment to rebuild their lives.”
Highlighting the Ministry’s dedication, she noted that “the prevention of SGBV is a priority for the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and no woman or child should have to experience this terrible tragedy.” As part of its interventions, “the Ministry carried out a rapid assessment of the needs of SGBV survivors across the country, including Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, and the FCT.”
Dr. Keshinro explained that “survivors of SGBV are managed by the state governments through their respective Ministries of Women Affairs, while the Federal Ministry operates one temporary shelter in the FCT to address immediate and urgent protection cases.”
Interventions by the Ministry
To address the survivors’ urgent needs, “a team led by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs visited the FCT safe space on December 14, 2024, where six survivors and their families were taking refuge.” The team “interacted closely with all of the survivors, listening to concerns and aspirations while addressing challenges, providing psychosocial support, distributing stipends, food, and hygiene items, and arranging urgent medical intervention for two of the survivors who needed health services.”
Following these interventions, “the survivors exited the shelter after receiving support packages from the Ministry to address their long-term shelter and economic needs.”
Further demonstrating the Ministry’s continued commitment, Dr. Keshinro revealed that “at a meeting held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, with one of the survivors, the Ministry extended its protection due to additional needs demonstrated and has since then been providing direct interventions in terms of stipends and temporary shelter. Longer-term plans are being put in place to ensure the survivor is fully rehabilitated and reintegrated.”
Setting the Record Straight
Dr. Keshinro categorically rejected allegations of neglect, stating that “the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has ensured prompt medical attention, secure accommodation, and rehabilitation planning for the survivors and their families.” She further emphasized that the Ministry is “actively enhancing shelter care and rehabilitation systems, collaborating with organisations to strengthen policies and standards, including the adoption of a National Action Plan on SGBV.”
Looking ahead, she assured that “the Ministry will continue to implement and expand these programs as needed, ensuring survivors have the resources and support necessary for self-sufficiency and independence.”
To reinforce its position, the Ministry outlined key facts regarding its ongoing efforts:
- Continuous Support: “The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, visited the victims on December 14, 2024, listened passionately to their concerns, and provided financial, emotional, and psychological support to ensure their well-being and safety.”
- Financial Assistance: “The Ministry has provided financial assistance to the victims to cater to their basic needs and support their rehabilitation. As recently as last Wednesday, during a meeting with them, the Minister sanctioned additional care privileges, including immediate accommodation and medical care.”
- Empowerment for Independence: The Ministry has empowered survivors by providing funds to secure private accommodation. “The victims expressed gratitude to the Minister for the financial support that enabled them to rent a place and start a new phase of their lives.”
- Medical Treatment: “We have ensured that the victims receive prompt and quality medical attention to address their physical and psychological health needs.”
- Secure Accommodation: “The Ministry has provided safe and comfortable accommodation for the victims, ensuring their security and dignity.”
- Empowerment Programs: “The Ministry has been implementing various empowerment programs aimed at equipping victims with skills, knowledge, and resources to become self-sufficient and independent.”
Dr. Keshinro urged the public to “disregard the misleading video, as it does not reflect reality.” She reaffirmed that “the Ministry will continue to review policies and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure that victims and their families are rehabilitated and reintegrated.”
