Board for UN Women-supported GBV Fund initiatives begins implementation.

The fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria reached another significant milestone on March 18, 2026, as stakeholders from the private sector, development community, and advocacy space convened at the headquarters of Providus Bank Plc in Lagos for the inaugural Board meeting of the Empower Her GBV Initiative.

The meeting marked an important follow-up to the landmark launch of the $25 million private sector-led GBV Fund initiated by UN Women alongside private sector partners. The Fund was established to mobilize sustainable private sector investment toward ending violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

With the successful registration of the Empower Her GBV Initiative by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Initiative now stands as a fully recognized legal entity in Nigeria with the mandate to coordinate fundraising efforts, manage the GBV Fund, and drive long-term private sector engagement in addressing GBV. The Board meeting therefore signaled a critical transition from vision to implementation.

Gender-Based Violence remains one of the most widespread human rights violations in Nigeria, affecting millions of women and girls and limiting their ability to fully participate in social, economic, and political life. Beyond its devastating human impact, GBV also carries significant economic costs, affecting productivity, healthcare systems, workplace wellbeing, and national development. Increasingly, there is recognition that addressing GBV cannot be left to governments and development agencies alone. Sustainable progress requires stronger investment and leadership from the private sector.

The private sector occupies a unique position in influencing social norms, promoting inclusive workplace policies, supporting survivor-centered initiatives, and investing in scalable solutions that reach communities across the country. The establishment of the GBV Fund reflects a growing understanding that ending violence against women and girls is not only a moral imperative, but also a business and development priority.

The inaugural Board meeting brought together members of the newly constituted Board to discuss the operationalization of the Fund and define the strategic direction of the Initiative. Discussions focused on governance structures, accountability mechanisms, resource mobilization strategies, and institutional partnerships required to ensure the Fund delivers sustainable impact.

Recognizing the importance of technical expertise and global best practices, the Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, attended the meeting alongside private sector consultant Hansatu Adegbite. Their participation provided strategic and technical guidance to the Board on the vision, governance, and operational framework of the GBV Fund, while ensuring alignment with international standards on preventing and responding to GBV.

Ms Eyong emphasized the importance of transparency, survivor-centered approaches, and long-term sustainability in the implementation of the Fund. The meeting also created an opportunity for Board members to engage directly with UN Women on issues relating to institutional structure, partnership development, and impact-driven programming.

The session, coordinated by Board Chairman Princess Funla, concluded with clear action points aimed at activating the Fund and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.

As Nigeria continues efforts to address the root causes and consequences of Gender-Based Violence, the Empower Her GBV Initiative demonstrates the growing commitment of the private sector to move beyond corporate social responsibility toward transformative investment in gender equality and women’s empowerment. By mobilizing resources, partnerships, and influence, the Initiative is helping to build a future where women and girls can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.