By Esther Onyegbula

A coalition of women’s rights organizations staged a peaceful sit-in protest in Lagos to draw national attention to the rising incidents of femicide, domestic violence, and gender-based violence (GBV) plaguing the country on Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.

The event, organized by advocates such as Barrister Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo of the Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation and Anthonia Ojenagbon of Tonia Bruised But Not Broken, was held in Lagos as a call to action against the systemic abuse and marginalization of women, which continues to persist decades after Nigeria’s independence.

Speaking at the protest, which highlighted the inadequate legal protections for women and called for urgent reforms, Barrister Taiwo-Ojo condemned the entrenched patriarchy in Nigerian society, saying, “The judicial system, as it stands, is not only indifferent to women’s plight but is also structured in a way that oppresses them. Women are subjected to various forms of humiliation and abuse, yet they lack the necessary legal and social support to seek redress and protection.

“The current judicial and social frameworks are incapable of addressing the widespread abuse faced by women. We need a judicial system that supports and protects women, rather than upholding a culture of impunity for abusers,” Taiwo-Ojo emphasized.

Providing a grim list of tragic incidents that underscore the rising violence against women in Nigeria, Anthonia Ojenagbon said: “We remember Uwa Omozuwa, who was brutally murdered in a church in Edo State; Evelyn Ibe, stabbed by her husband in Abuja; and Comfort Ogbu, killed by her spouse in Enugu. These are not isolated incidents. From Bimbo Ogbonna to Christiana and Barakat, the violence against women is an endless list that reveals a terrifying pattern of abuse that cannot be ignored any longer.”

Calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action by signing pending gender equity laws and ensuring gender representation in governance and employment, President of the African Women Lawyer Association, Mandy Asagba said, “President Tinubu must ensure every political party reserves at least 40% of its positions for women, and every organization provides 40% employment for women. If they are sincere about gender parity, they need to take this seriously.”

Asagba declared, “We gather here today to demand our freedom; enough of the suffering, the humiliation, and the oppression of women. We demand justice for women, gender parity, and zero tolerance for the abuse of women. It’s our right, and if they don’t give it to us, we’ll keep fighting until we win.”

Protesters also highlighted other egregious cases of abuse, including the rape of a married woman by a police officer in custody in Lagos and the defilement of a young girl by a police officer within a police station. Despite these heinous acts, they pointed out that there has been insufficient legal action and protection for the victims.

The coalition called on the government to expedite the prosecution of pending GBV cases, strengthen laws and policies that protect women’s rights, and increase funding for support services and shelters. These measures, they stressed, would raise awareness of the devastating impact of GBV, push for swift justice for victims, and advocate for comprehensive policy reforms.

“Enough is enough,” the protesters declared in unison. They emphasized that as Nigeria advances, so too must the rights and protections for women progress, demanding an environment that amplifies the voices of victims, demands accountability, and ensures a safer Nigeria for all.

The peaceful sit-in protest was a solemn reminder that, 64 years after independence, Nigerian women are still fighting for freedom from abuse, violence, and systemic oppression. The organizers urged the government, civil society, and the general public to unite in the fight to end gender-based violence and create a more equitable society for women across the nation.