Blog · Rights
Justice for women and girls: know the law, know where to go
Nigeria has strong laws against violence and abuse. Many women and girls never get to use them. Here is what the laws say, why justice is hard to reach, and where to get help.
Justice is a right. For many Nigerian women and girls, it is also a long, expensive and frightening road. Cases are dropped, families pressure survivors to "settle", police stations feel unsafe, and lawyers cost money most people do not have.
The first step towards justice is knowing what the law says and where to go.
The laws that protect women and girls
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) guarantees freedom from discrimination on grounds of sex.
The Child Rights Act (2003) protects every child, meaning anyone under 18, from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harmful practices. It sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage. Each state must pass its own version. By late 2022 the federal government reported that 34 of the 36 states had done so, with Kano and Zamfara reported as the exceptions.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), known as the VAPP Act, was signed into law in May 2015. It covers rape, physical injury, female genital mutilation, forced eviction from home, emotional and psychological abuse, harmful widowhood practices, spousal battery, forced isolation and more. It applies directly in the Federal Capital Territory, and states adopt it through their own laws. Many states have done so, but not all, and some have passed versions with gaps.
State laws and the Criminal and Penal Codes also make rape, assault and other violence crimes everywhere in Nigeria.
Why justice is hard to reach
- Cost. Lawyers, transport to court, medical reports and time off work all cost money.
- Stigma and pressure. Survivors are often blamed, or pushed by family and community to keep quiet or settle privately.
- Slow systems. Cases can take years. Evidence is lost, witnesses give up.
- Poor first response. Some police officers dismiss complaints or ask for money, though they are not allowed to.
- Not knowing the law. Many women and girls do not know their rights, or that free help exists.
Where to get help
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). Many states now have SARCs, usually in or near hospitals. They offer free medical care, emergency treatment, counselling and support if you choose to report. Go as soon as possible after an assault, ideally within 72 hours, and if you can, do not wash or change clothes first, so evidence can be collected.
The police. You can report any crime at a police station. Many divisions have gender or family support desks. You should not be asked to pay to report a crime.
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria. A federal agency that provides free legal advice and representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer. It has offices across the country.
Women lawyers and rights organisations. Groups such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) offer legal advice and support in many states.
For children. If a child is being abused, any adult can report to the police or to the state Ministry of Women Affairs or Social Welfare.
What would make justice more reachable
- Every state passing and properly funding the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act.
- A SARC within reach of every community.
- Trained, respectful police and court officers who handle gender-based violence cases sensitively.
- Faster courts for sexual and gender-based violence cases.
- Communities that support survivors instead of shaming them.
What you can do now
- Learn the basics of the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act, and share them.
- Find out where the nearest SARC is in your state, and save the details in your phone.
- If someone tells you they have been abused, believe them, listen, and help them get to a safe place and to support.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For help with a specific situation, contact the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or a lawyer.
