The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Joint United Nations Team on HIV/AIDS and with support from the Global Fund, has called for stronger integration of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) interventions into Nigeria’s health and development programming as the country prepares its Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) funding request. The call was made on Thursday at the National Consultative Workshop on Gender Equality, Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Programming in Nigeria, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Multi-Sectoral Platform for Coordinated Responses
Speaking at the workshop, UNDP Gender Lead, Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi, said the consultation was convened to create a multi-sectoral platform that brings together the Federal Ministries of Health, Justice and Women Affairs, alongside the National Human Rights Commission, development partners and civil society organisations, to develop coordinated responses to IPV and GBV. According to her, violence against women and girls continues to affect access to critical health services, including HIV testing, treatment and care.
“This workshop is not just a sit-and-go meeting. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we can begin to programme effectively around intimate partner violence, identify gaps, strengthen coordination mechanisms and ensure that gender-based violence interventions are adequately reflected in Nigeria’s Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 funding request,” she said. Ndubuisi stressed that UNDP and its partners are advocating for practical and measurable gender interventions that go beyond awareness creation to include survivor support, economic empowerment, behavioural change initiatives and improved access to services.
Legal and Health Linkages Highlighted
Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Iseoluwa Rotimi (SAN), who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, highlighted the strong links between gender-based violence, human rights violations and public health outcomes. He noted that while Nigeria’s general HIV prevalence has declined to 1.4 per cent, key populations and their partners account for an estimated 40 per cent of new HIV infections despite constituting less than five per cent of the population.
Rotimi said stigma, discrimination, breaches of confidentiality and fear of arrest continue to prevent vulnerable populations from accessing healthcare services. He also raised concerns about the health conditions of persons in correctional facilities, survivors of human trafficking and victims of gender-based violence, noting that legal and institutional barriers often worsen health outcomes. The DPP called for stronger integration of GBV screening and support services into HIV and tuberculosis programmes, expansion of health and legal services in correctional facilities, improved referral systems for trafficking survivors and increased financing for gender-responsive interventions under the GC8 framework.
UNAIDS and Global Fund Perspectives
Also speaking, Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Nigeria, Ms. Krittayawan Boonto, described gender-based violence as a persistent challenge that continues to affect millions globally despite existing legal protections. While acknowledging Nigeria’s progress through laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act, she noted that enforcement remains inconsistent.
Boonto expressed concern over the high number of GBV cases reported in the country between January and April 2026, noting that many incidents still go unreported. She urged stakeholders to ensure that GBV and IPV interventions are clearly defined, adequately funded and backed by measurable targets within the Global Fund GC8 proposal. “We are here to make the money work. If these interventions are not clearly programmed with indicators, targets and accountability mechanisms, they risk remaining vague aspirations,” she said.
Also the Head of HIV at the Global Fund Dr Izukanji Sikazwe, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to address the structural drivers of HIV transmission. According to the Fund, gender-based violence and intimate partner violence remain significant barriers to achieving HIV epidemic control because they discourage individuals from accessing prevention, testing and treatment services.
The organisation said it is working with the Federal Government, state institutions and community groups to identify strategic investments that will reduce GBV and IPV while improving access to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services. The Global Fund commended the Nigerian government for taking the lead in addressing the issue through legal reforms and operational frameworks, while also expressing concern over reports that many cases of violence are perpetrated by family members, acquaintances and individuals within trusted institutions.
Expected Outcomes
Participants at the consultation are expected to develop recommendations that will inform Nigeria’s GC8 funding request and strengthen coordinated pathways for preventing and responding to gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. The workshop brought together representatives of government ministries, the United Nations system, the Global Fund, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, academia, human rights advocates and technical experts committed to advancing gender equality and protecting vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
