Violence Against Women in Nigeria: When Will Society Wake Up?

Another young woman almost lost her life.

Another headline about a girl lured, trapped, and nearly killed. 

This time, it was Promise Eze, a 25 Year-old from Ebonyi State, who thought she was meeting a man she had connected with online. 

Instead, she was found tied to a chair, unconscious, her mouth sealed with plaster in an Abuja hotel room.

Thankfully, the FCT Police Command rescued her. But how many more young women won’t be as lucky?

Let’s get one thing straight, evil is evil. 

And we need to stop sugarcoating it. This isn’t about why she visited him or whether she was materialistic.

This is about the increasing violence against women in Nigeria and a society that allows it to happen.

For every Promise Eze who survives, there are countless others who don’t. 

We hear the stories, young women lured under false pretenses, attacked in their homes, kidnapped, or even used for rituals.

And while we express outrage, nothing really changes.

So, where exactly has society failed?

1. Weak Law Enforcement & a Broken Justice System

The truth is, our justice system does not protect women enough. 

Many perpetrators of gender-based violence walk free because there are no real consequences. 

Even when cases go to court, they drag on for years, and some victims are even bullied into silence.

2. Lack of Proper Safety Education

How many families openly teach their daughters about personal safety? 

How many schools discuss real-life dangers beyond the classroom? 

Young girls are left to navigate this dangerous world alone, without the tools to recognize red flags in relationships or online interactions.

3. Economic Hardship & Unemployment

Let’s face it, poverty makes people vulnerable. 

When young women lack financial independence, they may unknowingly walk into danger, believing they have found an opportunity. 

The fewer options people have, the more desperate they become.

4. Victim Blaming & Double Standards

Why is it that whenever a woman is assaulted, the first question people ask is, “What was she doing there?” 

But when a man gets robbed, no one asks him why he was outside late at night.

 Blaming victims only empowers criminals and makes women feel even more unsafe.

5. Social Media & Online Dangers

The internet has made it easier for criminals to pretend to be someone they’re not. 

While some women may be cautious, how do you truly verify a person you’ve only interacted with online? 

There are little to no safety campaigns teaching young people how to navigate online spaces safely.

6. Poor Community Vigilance

There was a time when neighbors looked out for one another. 

Now, we’re all minding our business while predators lurk around freely. 

If we don’t hold each other accountable, who will?

7. Inadequate Protection for Women & Girls

The government loves to talk about policies, but where is the real enforcement?

Where are the special police units dedicated to rescuing abducted women? 

Where are the safe spaces for victims who escape violence?

Enough is enough. 

We need real action to protect women and stop these horrors from repeating themselves. 

We should at least: 

1. Enforce Stricter Laws & Harsher Punishments

Ritual killers, rapists, and abusers should not be walking free. 

The government needs to enforce harsher punishments for anyone caught committing such crimes. 

This is not the time for leniency.

2. Strengthen Law Enforcement

It’s time for the police to step up. Missing person cases should be treated as emergencies, not ignored.

Every minute counts when someone is in danger.

3. Online Safety Awareness

Parents, schools, and communities must start teaching young people how to stay safe online. 

We need more awareness on verifying identities, avoiding risky meetups, and recognizing manipulative behavior.

4. Community Involvement & Neighborhood Watch

Our communities need to wake up. Every neighborhood should have a reporting system for suspicious activities. 

If we wait for the government to fix everything, we’ll be waiting forever.

5. Women’s Empowerment & Financial Independence

The more financial options a woman has, the less likely she is to fall for traps. 

We need more job opportunities, skill acquisition programs, and support systems for young women.

6. End the Culture of Victim Blaming

It’s no longer time to shift the blame. When a woman is attacked, ask "Who did this?" instead of "What was she doing there?"

7. Support for Victims

Survivors need safe spaces, legal support, and therapy to rebuild their lives. 

We cannot abandon them after they escape the nightmare.

The Message is Clear: Violence Against Women Must End

This is not just a women’s issue, it is a societal issue.

If we don’t fix this, we are raising a generation of girls who will live in constant fear and a generation of boys who believe they can do anything without consequences.

We can’t keep waiting until another Promise Eze is found tied up in a hotel room.

We must act NOW.

To every young woman out there: Stay vigilant. Be careful. But also, know that you deserve to live in a society that protects you. And we will keep fighting for that.

Let’s call out evil for what it is. Enough is enough.