Give to Gain: Project Alert Launches Publications to Address GBV in Nigeria

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Summary: To celebrate IWD, Project Alert on Violence Against Women launches four publications to expose the persistent GBV and rape culture against women. The books also provide prevention strategies and relevant documentation on the issue. 

In commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), Project Alert on Violence Against Women launches four publications that reveal the systematic abuse against women and provide improved prevention strategies and institutional responses against this violence. This book presentation took place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

During her welcome address, Ms Josephine Effah-Chukwuna, the Executive Director of Project Alert, stated that the four publications are based on the organisation’s shared belief in the IWD theme: “Give To Gain.” She mentioned that it is a way to share knowledge and give back to society to change the system. 

The publications’ synopses were presented by Tobe Adibeli, a programme officer with the organisation, while the launch of the books was conducted by Professor Ngozi Osarenren, Project Alert Chair of the Board of Trustees.

“What we have done today through the presentation of this series of books is to bring to public awareness the work we have been doing and the impact it has had,” Professor Osarenren said.

“It is not only NGOs or civil society organisations. It is everybody’s problem. We all have to work together because we want a society with children, women and young people we will all be proud of,” she added. 

The publications include: Beacon of Hope (Volume 2),  How to Guide: Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programming in Schools; No Safe Haven, and the Project Alert Strategic Plan 2025–2029. 

How to Guide Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programming in Schools presents the results of a 4-year school intervention project in Cross-River and Akwa Ibom States, with a focus on addressing sexual violence in schools. No Safe Haven is a relevant Project Alert’s earliest publication that documents the huge gap in systematic data on gender-based violence in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Beacon of Hope (Volume 2) is a compilation of favourable verdicts of women’s human rights cases in various courts across Nigeria. Lastly, Project Alert Strategic Action Plan (2025 to 2029) outlines the organisation’s future roadmap to guide its work in the coming years.

Speaking at the event, Ms Itoro Eze-Anaba, the Founder of Mirabel Centre, narrated the sad reality of GBV in Nigeria. She said perpetrators are now in primary schools, and it’s not just about society, but individual contributions to curb this problem. She advised the media present to move beyond the narrative of mere reporting to holding the government and perpetrators accountable for gender-based violence. 

“The youngest survivor we have treated is three months old, and the oldest is 82 years old, and it involves both men and women. We want the media to move from reporting events to reporting with responsibility and accountability,” Ms Itoro said. 

Another stakeholder, Ms Amy, advised the organisation to ensure the publications are included in teachers’ courses to fight systemic failure. She highlighted that survivors of domestic violence increasingly report their experience, but the justice system often fails them. As such, educators must be educated in accountability systems to increase offenders conviction rate.

As the event came to a close, Ms Josephine emphasised that there is room for further discussion and that the books are not meant to sit on the shelf but to advance knowledge in mitigating violence against women and girls.