….As NHRC pushes for passage of bill creating special constituencies for women

Civil society groups and other stakeholders, have commended the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, for his commitment and dedication to the fight against all forms of injustice, especially protection of the rights of the less privileged members of the society.

The commendations were made Friday in Abuja at the headquarters of the Commission, during a press conference to flag-off 16-Day Activism in commemoration of the 2025 International Campaign on Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) themed- “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”

In her remark, Ene Ada, Chief Facilitator, Edoka Trauma Care Centre, said listed several achievements recorded by the National Human Rights Commission under Dr. Ojukwu leadership, including putting in place, a sexual harassment policy which she said was supposed to be championed by the national assembly.

According to her, in addition to monitoring, documentation and reporting of cases of abuse of rights of people, the Commission has initiated a partnership platform which it empowers women and other indigent and vulnerable people.

“We want to celebrate you for all you are doing. Especially your partnership with the media to bring issues related to gender violence and general matters concerning human rights abuses and violations to the public,” she stated.

She noted that Ojukwu takes proactive measures and responds promptly whenever issues of abuses are raised.

“Under your leadership, the NHRC has grown in leaps and bounds. The fight is a marathon not a sprint because abuses occur every minute,” she stated.

Also speaking, the District Chair, Inner Wheel District 910, Felicia Agbonhese, said the NHRC has become a rallying point for organization, groups and individuals interested in advocating for justice and rights of people across the country and attributed the landmark achievement of the Commission to the managerial skills of Dr. Ojukwu, describing him as a role model.

She pledged Inner-Wheels’ readiness to continue to partner with the Commission, especially in the area of empowerment of women and others in need.

Speaking earlier, Ojukwu called on the National Assembly to pass the Bill creating special constituencies for women.

He said the Commission was interested in using the occasion to renew its commitment to a Nigeria where violence, discrimination, and harmful practices have no place, and where women and girls can live free from fear.

Ojukwu said- “We use the opportunity to call on the National Assembly to pass the law creating special constituencies for women to aid more women participation in politics and governance. Refusal to do this constitutes violation against women because a refusal to implement Affirmative Action is a violence against women, which should be prohibited.”

He explained the significance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, saying it was an important international campaign that was started by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) in 1991.

According to Ojukwu, the 16 Days runs from November 25, (International Day against Violence against Women) to December 10, (International Human Rights Day) to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights.

He stated that the 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1, which is World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989, when 14 women students were massacred by a lone gun-man opposed to the affirmative action policies promoted by feminists at the University of Montreal.

“Since it began, the 16 Days of Activism has been used as an organizing strategy by women’s groups to call for the elimination of violence against women by raising awareness about gender based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels; strengthening local work around violence against women; establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women; providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share effective strategies; demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women and creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women”, Dr. Ojukwu further explained.

He noted that GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world and in Nigeria, Ojukwu assured that NHRC stands firmly with survivors, with women and girls across the country, and with communities demanding justice, safety, and equality.

See details of the events lined up for the 16-Day Activism:

25 November: A road show in collaboration with CSOs, NBA/FIDA and partners, beginning from the NHRC State office and ending at the Office of the First Lady of the State, who will officially flag off the campaign in that State. This will be followed by an advocacy visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly of the State.

26 November: Nationwide engagements with Traditional Rulers and community structures in each of the States to examine sociocultural norms, policies, and state-level legislation that influence violence against women. This is supported by the Ford Foundation.

27 November: Advocacy visits to the Chief Judge of each State and/or the, Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court to emphasize the need for effective handling of SGBV cases.

28 November: Meetings with women and youth groups in each State to review life cases by victims and validate identified violations and deepen awareness on women’s rights and plan protection of victims including discrimination of such cases.

30 November – 2 December: Submission and Compilation of reports from engagement with traditional leaders, religious leaders, and documentation of harmful practices affecting women and children.

3 December: School outreach activities where students use drama and other creative presentations to raise awareness on SGBV, while other teams engage religious bodies such as CAN, Muslim associations and other faith-based organisations.

4 December: Further visits to health facilities to assess responses to SGBV and ensure availability of Post Exposure for Prophylaxis (PEP). This will be carried out in collaboration with FIDA, NBA, CSOs etc on the same date at Abuja headquarters. A High-Level Conference on Proportionate Force and Respect for Human Dignity will also be held in collaboration with Citizens FM Abuja. This conference will only take place in Abuja.

5 December: A media parley with stakeholders, NBA, FIDA, CSOs, and the Commission at State level to discuss key issues, legislation, and avenues for redress at the State level.

8 December: Advocacy visit by the State team to State Governors to present findings, summarizing all engagements at the State level.

This will coincide with the Human Rights Forum for MDAs and CSOs to be held in Abuja at the Continental Hotel, the forum will provide opportunity to brainstorm and assess human rights situation and chart a way forward for 2026.

9 December: State compilation of reports from the findings at the various States meetings and visits conducted. Communique is made ready for dissemination to the State Authorities.

10 December: A nationwide Human Rights Awareness rally across all 36 states and the FCT to commemorate International Human Rights Day. Messages from the UN Secretariat, OHCHR and the Executive Secretary will be delivered at all state offices and Abuja headquarters.