2009

In response to calls by the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November 2009, The National Assembly in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development organized an awareness walk to commemorate the day. The theme of the celebration was: "Act, Demand: We Can End Violence Against Women."

The celebration was essentially to provide momentum to the international view promoted by parliaments across the world and the United Nations that violence against women be combated.

The specific objectives of the celebration were to:

• Mark the 10th Anniversary of the formal proclamation by the United Nations of 25th November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
• Partner with Parliament to advocate for violence against women to be made a priority issue at the national level.
• Identify strategies to adopt in strengthening the effectiveness of Parliaments and Government to combat violence.
• Contribute to the UN Secretary General's UN campaign to end violence against women (2008-2015).
• Make progress towards the actualization of the National Gender Policy, the Beijing Platform for action and the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Violence Against women which all denounce violence against women.

The Awareness Walk was attended by Women Groups, Legislators, Development Partners, Ministry staff, Youth, Students and the general public. The event featured the delivery of speeches, songs, drama sketches, and poetry and goodwill messages, including electronic and print media publicity.

Response of the Government of Nigeria to the questionnaire on violence against women 2011