The Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) says the spate of insecurity is increasing
the risk of sexual violence and exploitation on women and girls across the country.
The NGO in a statement, signed by its Senior Programme Officer, Communications, Mr Uche Brown-Egbe in Kaduna on Friday, called for concerted efforts to protect women and girls from all forms of sexual violence.
It explained that the incessant attacks on communities by bandits and the unabated kidnappings across the country have exposed women and girls to series of sexual abuse and violence.
The organisation said that while some women and girls had been forcefully turned to sex slaves by kidnappers, others have lost their husbands and fathers, making them dependent and vulnerable to exploitation.
It pointed out that women, young girls and children across the world, have continued to bear the burden of all forms of violence, insecurity and war.
“Unless the insecurity, conflict and war ceased, millions of families in the country and across the world will be forcibly displaced.
“This will dramatically escalate the scale of the already dire global humanitarian situation and thereby, increasing the risk of sexual violence and exploitation on women and girls,” it said.
The NGO urged governments at all levels to take proactive steps to address the situation and called for a coordinated intelligence gathering and stronger synergy among security agencies, including community members.
It advocated for the involvement of women and girls in all decision-making process on conflict prevention and mitigation being the most affected in crises or conflict situations.
“We strongly suggest the inclusion of women in the pursuit of peace and improved security in the country and the world in general, particularly in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country.
“More than two million Ukrainians and other immigrants, the majority of which are women and children, were said to have fled the country to neighbouring countries while others were internally displaced.
“We strongly condemn the incessant acts of violence in Nigeria, Ukraine and other parts of the world,” it said.
It called on all Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to address the security challenges affecting every part of the country, adding that the situation had arrested any efforts geared toward development.
The group reiterated its commitment to providing multi-sectoral interventions towards empowerment of women and girls through enlightenment, capacity building, information dissemination, advocacy, and community services.
