50,005 Reasons Why Silence is Killing Women: Let’s Break the Damn Silence!

by Similoluwa Ifedayo 

I am a Full-time Writer and A Part-time Rebel.

I write because words have power, and I rebel because silence allows injustices to fester. Today, I’m challenging the silence surrounding gender-based violence—the kind of violence that claims 50,005 lives of women.

At the time you finish reading this, one woman will be close to her death. In an hour, six women will be gone. By the end of today, approximately 137 women will lose their lives. By the end of the year, 50,005 women will be dead—all because of violence.

These haunting statistics are not just numbers; they represent real women—mothers, daughters, sisters, friends. They are a reflection of systemic failures, societal indifference, and deeply rooted cultural norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. This is not a reality we can ignore. It is a crisis that demands our immediate attention—one that calls for our voices, policies, and humanity.

Thirty-one years ago, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women adopted by the United Nations defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

On November 25, we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a day marked by the tragic murder of the Mirabal Sisters, who were killed in 1960 for their activism against a tyrannical regime.

An estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older). This figure does not even include sexual harassment.

Why Are We Here?

The roots of this violence are complex. Misogyny, power imbalances, and patriarchal norms lay the foundation. Legal systems often fail to protect women, either through weak laws or poor enforcement. Economic inequality, lack of education, and cultural acceptance of violence perpetuate the cycle.

But most damning is society’s silence. Too often, communities normalise or dismiss violence as a private matter, blaming victims instead of perpetrators. After death, the refrain is often, “She should have left.” This hollow judgement comes from a society that knew what was happening but chose not to act. In silence, we enable. By calling it a private matter, we signal that abusers will face no consequences, while survivors face judgement, isolation, or worse—death.

This silence is not just passive; it is complicity. According to a WHO report, more than 30 per cent of women experiencing violence confide in someone close to them, but most receive no meaningful help. Communities often ignore clear signs of abuse, preferring not to “interfere.” Yet, when tragedy strikes, they ask why no one did anything—oblivious to their inaction.

The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women adopted in 1993, serves as a global standard for recognising the multifaceted nature of gender-based violence, including physical, sexual, and psychological harm, as well as coercion and threats. While Nigeria has made legal strides in addressing this issue, there is still much work to be done to ensure that these laws translate into real protection for women.

In many parts of Nigeria, deep-rooted cultural beliefs about the role and status of women contribute to a tolerance for violence against them. The perception of women as “weaker vessels” and their societal position as subordinates to men perpetuates a culture where violence is sometimes seen as a legitimate means of exerting control. These attitudes are not only harmful but also make it difficult for women to seek justice, as they may fear societal backlash or even face pressure from family members to remain silent.

In addition, the legal system’s failure to adequately address gender-based violence is partly due to these entrenched social norms. Victims often face stigma and are blamed for their abuse, and the courts may fail to act swiftly or impartially. Even though the Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Act and other laws provide legal grounds for prosecuting perpetrators of violence, many cases go unreported, or victims withdraw complaints due to fear of retribution or lack of faith in the legal system.

Legal Reforms

To address these gaps, there have been calls for legal reforms, especially in terms of extending the protections offered by the VAPP Act to all states in Nigeria. Other Acts and Laws need to go beyond creation and adoption, they need to be implemented. There is also a need to increase public awareness and education about women’s rights and gender-based violence.

We need to break the silence. Instead of whispering behind closed doors, we must confront abusers, demand justice, and stand with survivors. But this is not just about laws or policies—it’s about a shift in mindset. Men, communities, and families must play an active role in ending violence. This change begins with speaking up when we see something wrong, teaching the next generation to respect women, and standing by those who need help, even when it’s uncomfortable.

We can’t afford to wait any longer. The price of silence is too high—50,005 lives a year. The time to act is now.