Safe Haven Foundation (SHF) was honoured to participate in the Stakeholder Validation Workshop on the Assessment Report of Existing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Legislation, Policies and Infrastructure in Nigeria, held on 8 July 2026 in Abuja under the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, implemented by International IDEA. The workshop brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organisations and justice sector actors to review and validate the findings and recommendations of the national assessment.
The assessment was led by Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, Ph.D., Founder of Safe Haven Foundation, who served as Lead Consultant for the assignment. During the workshop, she presented the assessment’s purpose, methodology, scope and key findings, followed by detailed sessions examining Nigeria’s legal and policy framework, implementation challenges, institutional performance, survivor service delivery and strategic recommendations.
The validation process provided stakeholders with an opportunity to critically examine the report and ensure that it accurately reflects the realities of SGBV prevention and response across Nigeria. Discussions focused on several pressing issues, including implementation gaps despite strong legal frameworks, justice attrition, institutional coordination, access to survivor services, funding constraints, technology-facilitated SGBV, disability inclusion, child protection and the practical implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The assessment represents one of the most comprehensive reviews of Nigeria’s SGBV response ecosystem, examining existing legislation, policies, institutional infrastructure and survivor services at both the federal and state levels. The validated report is expected to serve as an important evidence base for strengthening laws, improving coordination among institutions, expanding survivor-centred services and informing future investments under the EU-supported ESGBV Programme.
Safe Haven Foundation remains committed to advancing survivor-centred, rights-based and evidence-driven approaches to ending sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria. Through research, policy engagement, legal advocacy and direct survivor support, SHF will continue working alongside government, civil society and development partners to build a stronger and more accountable system that delivers justice, protection and healing for survivors
