By Grace Ben Kato
A recent report by Protect the Child Foundation (PCF), with support from the French Embassy, has revealed that two out of every five girls in Kogi State, have experienced some form of sexual abuse.
The shocking statistics, contained in a 2025 research report, highlight the growing prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), across the state and have sparked renewed calls for collective action to curb what stakeholders describe as a “societal menace.”
Speaking in Lokoja recently during the dissemination of the Baseline Findings on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the validation session for simplified versions of the Kogi State Child Rights Law, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019, the Executive Director of Protect the Child Foundation, Elizabeth Achimugu, said the study combined both quantitative and qualitative data to expose widespread risks of abuse among adolescents.
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“Our research shows that while many young girls are aware of sexual and gender-based violence, most lack detailed knowledge of their rights and available resources for redress,” Achimugu stated. “Cases remain severely underreported due to fear, mistrust of authorities, and social stigma.”
She added that, “SGBV and bullying are deeply interconnected, with serious physical, emotional, and educational consequences. While there has been some progress in changing gender attitudes, persistent stereotypes remain — underscoring the need for transformative education and shifts in social norms.”
Achimugu also noted that institutional weaknesses and cultural taboos continue to silence survivors and allow impunity to thrive. “Religious and community leaders must be part of the solution. Interventions should engage them in reshaping harmful cultural and faith-based norms,” she urged.
On girls’ wellbeing, she warned that menstrual hygiene challenges remain a major barrier to consistent school attendance. “The findings call for an integrated approach, one that strengthens legal awareness, transforms community attitudes, improves school-based prevention systems, and addresses girls’ material needs alongside broader social change,” Achimugu added.
Also speaking, Dorcas Kolade, a data research analyst with PCF, recommended that schools establish confidential reporting and survivor support mechanisms for bullying and sexual violence.
“Schools should integrate gender-transformative curricula that emphasize respect, consent, and healthy relationships,” Kolade said. “There’s also a need to improve WASH facilities to support menstrual hygiene and reduce absenteeism. Communities must engage religious, traditional, and youth leaders in advocacy to challenge harmful norms and support survivors.”
She further called on policymakers to strengthen the enforcement of SGBV legislation and implement anti-corruption reforms within the police and judiciary. “We must also invest in sustainable menstrual hygiene supply chains, including reusable pads,” she added.
In their separate remarks, FIDA Chairperson, Oluwakemi Omeiza; NBA Secretary, Lokoja Branch, Friday Ekpa; and Director of Gender-Based Violence, Ministry of Justice, Atule Stanley, emphasised the need for coordinated efforts among government, civil society, and community leaders to eradicate sexual abuse and all forms of gender-based violence in Kogi State.
