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DOHS tracked 150 cases in 2024 and 88 in the first half of 2025. 

On average one women is killed every 49 hours or every second day.

In 23,5% of all cases, the method of killing is unspecified. 11,8% of the women and girls got killed, and 11% stabbed to death.

The key forms of femicide in Nigeria are:

-> intimate partner violence including sex workers

-> ritual killings to procure genitals

-> armed conflict zones - banditry and terrorism

-> prevalence: There is a significant rise of femicide cases in Nigeria

-> age: there is a particularly high number of girls & young women who got killed in 2024 (age 2-21 years)

-> social media: play a great role to raise awareness

-> femicide cases: remain largely underreported

-> strong data gaps

-> lack of legislation

-> vicitim-blaming and stigmatization

-> weak justice response, impunity of perpetrators

-> lack of data synchronization (e.g., between hospitals and police)

-> Observatory to track cases and collect data 

-> petitions on change.org

-> podcast

-> local communities programs

-> partnerships with feminist organizations

-> acting as first responders

-> support & services for survivors

-> advocacy for Femicide Bil

-> "Run for Her" campaign

-> engagement of men & boys

How to tackle patriarchial norms, as they are at the heart of the problem?

Tradition and religion are the twin tools of patriarchy. Traditional practices need to be punished.

What is the role of social media?

Despite trolls or incels, social media is still a good platform for activism, particularly in order to repeat messages and actions and to counter mysogynistic messages

Why is it so hard to link activism and political action?

The overwhelming perception is still that femicide is a personal and not a structural problem. Also, only 4out of the 109 parliamentarian seats are taken by women.

What role does traditional media play?

They refuse to call it femicide, and rather refer to GBV. The term femicide is censored. In general reporting is mysogynistic.