The Illmi Children’s Fund has called on authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take urgent action against gender-based violence (GBV) in public schools, following a new survey that reveals alarming levels of harassment and abuse among adolescents.

Gender Lead of the organisation, Tovia Muo, made the call at the presentation of a report from the Adolescent Safety in All Spaces (ASIS) Project, which was conducted in 18 public secondary schools and engaged over 1,530 students aged 10–17, with girls making up 85 per cent of respondents.

The initiative focused on school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), placing students at the centre through gender and safety clubs, peer-led discussions, and school safety mapping exercises.

The report, presented to stakeholders in Abuja, revealed that 56 per cent of GBV occurred at school, 26 per cent at home, 11 per cent during commutes, and seven per cent online.

Verbal abuse accounted for 47 per cent of cases, followed by physical abuse, which accounted for 13 per cent. 12 per cent of students reported sexual assault, while 28 per cent experienced attempted or actual rape.

Muo said the findings demonstrate that while progress has been made in raising awareness and creating supportive peer networks, systemic and cultural barriers continue to limit students’ ability to safely report and resolve incidents of gender-based violence.

She emphasised the importance of putting adolescents, especially girls, at the centre of safety initiatives.

She said that involving students directly helps identify the types of violence they face, the reasons they may not report incidents, and the most effective ways to protect them.

Muo also highlighted the need to include boys in awareness programs, explaining that educating all students ensures that messages about rights and safety reach everyone. She

“Nigeria has laws like the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Act, which are meant to protect children. The challenge is implementation. Schools, communities, and government agencies must enforce these policies effectively. NGOs alone cannot ensure adolescent safety. Collective effort is essential”, she said.

Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Florence Dawon, stressed the role of school authorities, parents, and local committees in monitoring adolescent welfare.

“At adolescence, children face many challenges. We observe and guide them through counselling officers, principals, and committed teachers, and we encourage them to open up about their problems. Collaboration with parents and the community ensures we can address these challenges effectively,” Dawon said.

She explained that students are closely monitored through teachers, principals, counselling officers, and Parent-Teacher Associations, which helps identify challenges early.

Dawon also called for NGOs to work alongside schools, combining survey findings with school-level data to ensure interventions are accurate and effective, noting that systems like dashboards are being developed to track progress.

The report recommended establishing anonymous reporting channels in schools to reduce fear and stigma, and training staff as safe allies so that teachers and counsellors can respond effectively to cases of abuse.