As part of International Women’s Day 2025, NGYouthSDGs, represented by its YAL 2025 Fellows: Rosemary Akpo-ga Emmanuel and Solomon Leon John, proudly joined Amnesty International Nigeria and over 100 participants in a powerful advocacy Walk Against Femicide, held in Abuja. Themed #AccelerateAction: End Femicide Now, the walk was a public outcry against the alarming rise in femicide across Nigeria and a demand for urgent legal and policy action to protect women and girls. From Millennium Park to Gana Street, voices rang out in solidarity: “No more silence, no more victims, no more impunity.”
According to civil society reports, over 24 femicide cases have been recorded in just the first 65 days of 2025, with many more incidents likely going unreported. Yet, femicide remains unrecognised as a specific criminal offence under Nigerian law, leaving countless women vulnerable to gender-motivated killings and survivors with little recourse for justice. The walk aimed to:
- Amplify the voices of survivors and families of victims,
- Call for the criminalisation of femicide, and
- Advocate for a multi-sectoral response to end gender-based violence (GBV).
Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, YAL 2025 Fellows: Rosemary Akpo-ga Emmanuel and Solomon Leon John
Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, opened the event with a powerful call to action: “Femicide is not just murder , it is the silencing of voices, the erasure of dreams, and the denial of basic human rights. It’s time we call it what it is and criminalise it in Nigeria.”
Dr. Victor, a GBV expert and keynote speaker, emphasised the need for coordinated systems that bring together families, health professionals, law enforcement, and the judiciary: “No one sector can tackle femicide alone. We need survivors to be safe, the public to be informed, and justice systems to work.” Mary Jane Ego, a gender rights researcher, presented shocking trends, revealing that 22 women were killed in January 2025 alone. Many of these cases remain unresolved, buried by stigma, lack of legal clarity, and systemic negligence.
Some participants also shared moving testimonials, from the grief of losing loved ones to the resilience of survivors fighting for justice. Many expressed frustration at informal settlements of cases, police inaction, and community silence. But the walk also provided a space where voices could rise, where a movement could grow.
Key Demands & Advocacy Messages
The event highlighted three main areas of intervention:
- Government Accountability & Legal Reforms
Urgent passage of laws criminalising femicide.
Full implementation and enforcement of GBV-related legislation.
Increased government transparency and responsiveness to gender-based violence cases.
- Justice for Victims & Survivors
Thorough investigations, prosecution, and convictions in femicide cases.
Protection for survivors, families, and witnesses.
Legal aid, mental health support, and restitution for affected families.
- Community Education & Collective Action
Public awareness of the signs of abuse and early intervention.
Role of families, health workers, educators, and community leaders in prevention.
Stronger coordination between NGOs, CSOs, and government agencies.
Conclusion
The Walk Against Femicide was a powerful demonstration of unity and urgency, calling for systematic changes to end femicide in Nigeria. The overwhelming support and participation reaffirmed the need for continued advocacy, policy enforcement, and community engagement.
YAL 2025 Fellows: Rosemary Akpo-ga Emmanuel and Solomon Leon John
