Kano, Nigeria – 25 November 2024 – Lift Africa Foundation launches the 2024 16 Days of
Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign in Kano, mobilising communities,
policymakers, youth groups and civil society actors to demand stronger legal protection for
women and girls. The launch aligns with the global theme “Let’s End Violence Together” and
marks the beginning of a statewide advocacy effort to close legal gaps and promote survivor
centred solutions.
Kano remains the only state in Nigeria yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons
Prohibition (VAPP) Act — a legislative gap that continues to expose women, girls and
vulnerable groups to violence without adequate legal safeguards. Lift Africa Foundation uses this
year’s campaign to bring renewed urgency to the domestication and implementation of the Act.
Mobilising a Collective Demand for Legal Reform
At the campaign launch, Lift Africa Foundation sets out a clear agenda for the 16-day period,
focusing on:
amplifying survivor voices through media and community platforms
raising public awareness on the scale and impact of GBV
deepening advocacy for the domestication of the Harmonised VAPP Law
mobilising youth, traditional leaders and community stakeholders
strengthening public understanding of survivor protection systems
The launch underscores that ending GBV requires coordinated community action, strong
political will and an enabling legal environment that holds perpetrators accountable and protects
survivors.
Highlighting the Urgency of Legal Protection
Lift Africa Foundation stresses that the absence of the VAPP Act in Kano weakens the state’s
justice mechanisms for survivors of:
trafficking-related abuse
Without the Act, survivors face inconsistent legal procedures, limited access to justice, and
insufficient protection services.
rape
sexual assault
emotional, psychological and economic abuse
harmful widowhood practices
forced marriage
trafficking-related abuse
Without the Act, survivors face inconsistent legal procedures, limited access to justice, and
insufficient protection services.
Community Engagement as a Pathway to Change
At the launch, the Foundation outlines its plan to engage multiple groups over the next 16 days,
including:
religious and traditional leaders
girls in secondary schools and tertiary institutions
market women and grassroots associations
youth organisations
security agencies and duty-bearers
media houses
justice sector stakeholders
These engagements create space for dialogue, awareness and collective understanding of how the VAPP law strengthens protection for families, communities and institutions.
Strengthening Survivor-Centred Advocacy
The Foundation uses the campaign period to highlight survivor needs, including:
long-term reintegration support
trauma-informed care
access to shelters
medical and psychological support
effective reporting and referral mechanisms
justice system responsiveness
Lift Africa advocates for the expansion of the Waraka Sexual Assault Referral Centre,
strengthening its funding, staffing and capacity to provide timely, coordinated and
comprehensive care.
Lift Africa Foundation’s Commitment
With the launch of the 2024 16 Days of Activism, Lift Africa Foundation reaffirms its
commitment to:
ensuring no woman or girl is left unprotected under the law
advancing legal and policy reforms that protect women and girls
mobilising communities to challenge harmful norms
strengthening cross-sector collaboration for GBV prevention
amplifying survivor voices and lived experiences
demanding institutional accountability and political action
The campaign launch sets the tone for 16 days of coordinated, evidence-based advocacy
grounded in the realities of survivors and the urgent need for systemic change.