An advocate for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, comrade Joyce Haruna, has said that despite widespread awareness and condemnation of sexual violence, the menace still pervades globally.
This was as she challenged victims to speak up, stressing that silence emboldens perpetrators.
Haruna therefore tasked the Federal Government on the urgent need to expedite action in securing the total elimination of conflict-related sexual violence in the country.
An expert in factual advocacy, comrade Joyce Haruna explained in a statement issued in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to commemorate the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence and Conflict, described sexual violence in conflict as a crime that silences voices.
Haruna particularly called on governments at all levels to leverage on the International Day and ensure that sexual violence-related charges against perpetrators are effectively and successfully investigated and addressed.
The respected advocate said the Day was created not only to raise awareness, but to also honour survivors of sexual violence as well as pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to and lost their lives standing up against these crimes.
In the words of comrade Haruna; “The silence deepens when those who speak out go unheard and perpetrators go unpunished.
“Conflict-related sexual violence is a devastating form of attack and repression with lasting, harmful effects on survivors’ physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health, destroying community social fabric,” she stressed.
Accordingly, comrade Joyce Haruna called on Nigerians to unite towards ending the despicable crime, demand justice for survivors, and sustain efforts to break the cycle of violence.
