A nongovernmental organisation, Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria, has demanded justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, particularly in Nigeria’s crisis-affected regions.
In a statement to commemorate the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on Friday, SPRiNG described sexual violence as a brutal and recurring tactic of war, increasingly used in Nigeria’s violent conflicts.
The group lamented that while women and girls were most affected, men also fall victims, but the issue remained underreported and under-addressed.
Citing the recent UN Secretary-General’s report on CRSV, SPRiNG said armed groups continue to rape women, girls, and even infants, often in front of their families across Africa.
It warned that in many parts of Nigeria, sexual violence has become an instrument of war, with survivors left to suffer in silence due to lack of access to justice and support systems.
“Although the incidence of CRSV is rising, enough attention is not given to it by responsible authorities. There are not enough protective, referral and support services for survivors, and the fact that perpetrators rarely face prosecution or conviction leaves survivors in a cycle of trauma, stigma and pain,” the statement read.
SPRiNG declared its solidarity with survivors and called on the government, security institutions, traditional authorities and civil society groups to take immediate and meaningful action to end impunity.
The group stressed the need to demand justice for survivors and provide them with psychosocial, economic and livelihood support to aid their recovery and reintegration.
The organisation, which operates in the North-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria, said it was working with local actors to raise awareness about the root causes and impact of sexual and gender-based violence.
It said it would also support the survivors with counselling and rehabilitation, and challenge the stigma that often prevents them from speaking out.
The group added that the reporting survivor voices must go hand-in-hand with dismantling the political and legal barriers that prevent justice from being served.
SPRiNG also described its ongoing work as part of a broader mission to build resilience in communities affected by conflict and climate-related shocks.
