The CLEEN Foundation has raised the alarm over weak investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases in Kaduna State, warning that poor institutional coordination and inadequate support for survivors are undermining efforts to secure justice for victims.
The organisation called on the Kaduna State Government and relevant institutions to strengthen the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, insisting that the existence of protective legislation would mean little without effective enforcement.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Peter Maduoma, made the call on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day policy dialogue on bridging gaps in the implementation of the VAPP Law in Kaduna.
Maduoma, who was represented by the organisation’s Senior Finance and Administration Manager, Justina Johnson, said the effectiveness of the law should be measured by its ability to protect survivors and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The real test of the law is not simply whether it has been enacted, but whether a person experiencing domestic violence can safely seek help and receive a timely response,” he said.
He stressed that survivors of sexual violence must be able to report abuse without intimidation, stigma or victim-blaming, while children exposed to violence must receive adequate protection.
According to him, major obstacles to effective implementation include poor coordination among relevant institutions, inadequate public awareness, weak investigation and prosecution, insufficient survivor-centred services and limited resources.
Maduoma urged stakeholders to identify the specific challenges affecting Kaduna State and develop practical solutions to improve the administration of justice.
“These are issues that require careful examination rather than assumptions. We need to understand which challenges are most pronounced in Kaduna State, where institutional processes break down, what is already working, and which reforms are feasible within existing structures,” he said.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government ministries, Kaduna State University, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations and other institutions to examine implementation gaps and recommend measures to improve access to justice for survivors.
Participants also expressed concern over allegations of sexual and gender-based violence involving some religious leaders, warning that the abuse of spiritual authority could expose women, girls and children to sexual exploitation and psychological trauma.
They alleged that some women seeking spiritual guidance over marital and personal difficulties had been manipulated by religious leaders, with some reportedly being encouraged to leave their marriages or enter other relationships.
The stakeholders warned that such alleged practices could aggravate family disputes and expose vulnerable women to further exploitation.
They also raised concerns over an allegation involving a child who was reportedly sexually assaulted after being sent to deliver food to a religious leader.
According to a participant, the alleged perpetrator reportedly claimed that the child had a disease and that the assault was intended to remove it.
The participants described the allegation as disturbing and called for stronger safeguards to protect children and other vulnerable people from abuse by individuals occupying positions of trust.
They urged the state government to ensure that allegations of sexual offences were promptly investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence existed.
The stakeholders also called for stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, government institutions, religious organisations and civil society groups to improve the prevention, reporting and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence.
Maduoma urged participants to develop actionable recommendations that would translate the provisions of the VAPP Law into meaningful protection for survivors and strengthen institutional accountability.
“Together, we can translate statutory commitments into meaningful protection for all,” he said.
The CLEEN Foundation acknowledged the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, noting that the partnership had provided opportunities for policy engagement, institutional strengthening and efforts to promote more accountable justice and security institutions in Nigeria.
The two-day dialogue is expected to produce recommendations for closing implementation gaps, strengthening accountability and ensuring that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence receive adequate protection and access to justice.
