The Daurama Foundation has raised an alarm over the escalating cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, highlighting that vulnerable communities are enduring the worst of this national crisis. In a strategic move, the organization has launched its 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign directly within the Durumi community in Abuja, an area identified as an emerging hotspot for domestic and gender-based violence.
A Shift in Strategy: From Conference Rooms to Communities
The official launch of the foundation's 2025 activism campaign was marked by a community screening of its documentary, Voices Within. This event signified a deliberate and crucial shift in the foundation's approach, moving away from engagements focused on elites to direct, community-centered interventions where GBV cases are most prevalent.
Dr. Samira Buhari, the Founder of the Daurama Foundation, explained that the choice to begin the campaign in Durumi was intentional. She pointed to the settlement's difficult history of displacement and its growing exposure to various forms of abuse. "True change doesn't happen in conference rooms but in communities," Dr. Buhari stated. "By launching our 16 Days of Activism in Durumi, we ensured that those most affected by this crisis remained at the centre of the national conversation. This is their story, and this was their moment."
The Power of Storytelling in a Vulnerable Community
The documentary, Voices Within, directed by the award-winning filmmaker Bem Pever, delves into the complex emotional and psychological trauma caused by gender-based violence. It uses compelling storytelling to amplify the voices of survivors and challenge the harmful societal norms that allow abuse to continue.
Adding a profound layer of significance to the event, the film was actually shot within the Durumi community itself. This made the screening a symbolic homecoming, allowing residents, many of whom are connected to the harsh realities depicted in the film, to be among the first to experience it in their own environment.
Echoing the founder's sentiments, Francisca Nzeagwu, the Communications Coordinator for the Foundation, provided context for Durumi's selection. "Over the years, the area has served as a refuge for internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking safety and stability. While some have returned to their original homes, many have settled permanently in the community," she said. "Unfortunately, this transition has been accompanied by a sharp increase in cases of domestic and gender-based violence, making it one of the communities most in need of targeted awareness and support."
The Stark Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
The foundation's campaign addresses a severe and persistent issue in Nigeria. Statistics paint a grim picture:
- According to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, 31 per cent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence.
- The same survey found that nine per cent of women in that age group have experienced sexual violence.
More recent reports indicate that the problem is far from abating. One month in 2023 alone documented over 24,000 GBV cases across the nation. Furthermore, a late 2024 report revealed that a staggering 30 per cent of women and girls aged 15-49 have suffered physical or sexual violence. Experts warn that these figures are likely just the tip of the iceberg, as countless incidents go unreported due to deep-seated stigma, fear of reprisal, and a critical lack of awareness in many communities.
