Professor Joy Ezeilo, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Executive Director of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), has raised concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating human rights landscape and alarming rates of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
In an exclusive interview, Ezeilo lamented the lack of justice stemming from the #EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s recommendations. She described police brutality and systemic abuses as endemic, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform.
Ezeilo also highlighted the epidemic scale of GBV in Nigeria, citing thousands of annual cases involving rape, domestic violence, forced marriages, and other harmful practices. She criticized corruption within the justice system, which undermines victims’ access to justice.
To combat GBV, Ezeilo advocates for stronger enforcement of laws, increased awareness, and preventive measures to tackle impunity. As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence conclude, she called for collective action and resource mobilization to address this pressing issue.
