Norway has taken over joint leadership of the “Call to Action” on the Protection from Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in emergencies alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Communication Analyst, Mr Adewole Ajao, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Ajao explained that the announcement was made during a symbolic handover ceremony hosted at the residence of the Norwegian Ambassador in Abuja.
He noted that the event marked the conclusion of Germany’s tenure as joint lead partner with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, a role it held between 2023 and 2024.
According to him, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Annett Gunther, used the occasion to reflect on the progress achieved through the Call to Action and to restate Germany’s ongoing support for the initiative.
Gunther said that although Germany’s leadership role had ended, the country remained dedicated to advancing the protection of women and girls affected by humanitarian crises in Nigeria and other regions.
She expressed confidence that Norway’s assumption of leadership would further strengthen efforts to promote gender equality and mainstream GBV prevention within humanitarian interventions.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the achievements of the initiative since its launch in 2018 and reaffirmed the ministry’s role as Nigeria’s co-lead.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Esuabana Asanye, the minister stated that Nigeria remained firmly committed to the objectives of the Call to Action.
She explained that the initiative had improved coordination among stakeholders, enhanced accountability, and supported community-based and localised responses to GBV.
As co-lead of the strategic task team, she added, the ministry would continue to harmonise partner efforts, provide strategic oversight and promote sustainable solutions at the community level.
UNFPA’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, expressed optimism that the rotating leadership framework would help consolidate gains recorded across the six priority areas of the Call to Action.
She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to sustaining progress, strengthening coordination, improving accountability and keeping GBV prevention and response central to humanitarian action.
Similarly, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Baera, said Norway was eager to work closely with partners to accelerate commitments aimed at ending gender-based violence, particularly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
He noted that protecting women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian settings had long been a priority for Norway.
Baera described the Call to Action as a vital multi-stakeholder platform that underscores the need for collective action to ensure effective protection and support for survivors during emergencies.
The Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies is a global partnership involving governments, donors, international organisations and civil society groups, designed to ensure that GBV prevention and response are prioritised from the earliest stages of every humanitarian crisis, with Norway set to serve as global lead partner for Nigeria from 2025 to 2026.