Amnesty International has called on stakeholders to take decisive action in protecting women from femicide and other forms of abuse and violence.
Femicide—the killing of a woman or girl, often by men, due to her gender—remains a pressing issue in Nigeria.
Speaking during a sensitization rally in Osogbo on Saturday, Joshua Oyebode, Coordinator of Amnesty International’s Supporters Group in Osun State, emphasized the need for increased awareness to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence.
Oyebode revealed that at least 149 women were killed across Nigeria in 2024 due to violence against women.
“The need for collective responsibility in tackling the menace of femicide becomes paramount to ensure a violence-free society for women,” he stated.
He also highlighted Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, stressing the importance of enforcing such laws to prevent unlawful killings, particularly those targeting women.
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Akinbode Oluwasegun, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Osun Chapter), echoed similar concerns, urging authorities to implement stricter policies to protect women’s rights and prevent wrongful killings.
He noted that femicide cases were alarmingly high compared to male homicide cases in Nigeria.
“Women are vulnerable and should be treated with dignity and respect by the opposite sex,” Oluwasegun added.
Amnesty International reiterated its commitment to advocating for policies that ensure the safety and protection of women across the country.
“The rate of killings of women by men for rituals every day is on the increase and such must be stopped. They are harassed, maltreated and abused for unjust reasons”.
Omowunmi Akanbi, a member of Teen’s Foundation, a group, said the numbers of women killed in January across the country were many, highlighting the need for increased awareness to curb femicide.
Ms Akanbi said the government must come up with vibrant policies to tame the menace, which had continued to put fear in the hearts of so many women across the country.
However, she emphasized that killing a woman is akin to killing a nation, given the vital roles women play in society.
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