The rise in sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria has reignited calls for urgent and sustained intervention, with Document Our History (DOHS) Cares Foundation’s Femicide Observatory reporting a staggering 240% increase in femicide cases tracked in January 2025. Chioma Agwuegbo, Executive Director at TechHer and Convener of the now-defunct State of Emergency GBV Movement, remarked in an interview with The Guardian UK on the issue,
“Unfortunately, the figures reported by civil society organisations represent merely a fraction of the violence that women and girls endure due to poor documentation and a lack of trust in the system.”

TechHer, in collaboration with Education as a Vaccine (EVA), therefore announces the expansion of its SGBV Emergency Response Fund (ERF). Launched in 2022, the Fund provides emergency resourcing to cater to essential services for survivors, including access to justice, healthcare, and psychosocial support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of SGBV.

Sexual and gender-based violence remains a critical public health and social issue, with devastating consequences that disproportionately impact women and girls. The ERF addresses significant gaps in accessing justice, medical care, and psychological support, ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive assistance they need.

Speaking on the utility of the Fund, Toyin Chukwudozie, Executive Director at Education as a Vaccine, said, “We are pleased to plug a crucial gap in the access to justice arc for survivors, providing emergency funding within a 24-48 hour window post approval of their applications for support, as we realise how crucial the hours following abuse are for remediation.”

As the world observes International Women’s Day, Ajuma Drisu, Programmes Lead of the ERF, states that the Fund serves as a rallying call for the government, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to intensify efforts for women and girls by advocating for and supporting survivors of violence. She remarked, “Providing adequate support is a crucial step in empowering survivors to escape abusive situations. We invite individuals and organisations nationwide to reach out as needed.”

Beyond the ERF, TechHer remains committed to tackling online gender-based violence through its KURAM platform, which aggregates and responds to technology-facilitated gender-based violence.