In a groundbreaking report, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has declared the Nigerian government responsible for "grave and systematic violations" of women's rights, a decade after the notorious Boko Haram abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok. Released on Wednesday, the report sheds light on the traumatic experiences endured by the victims and criticizes the Nigerian government for its insufficient support and rehabilitation efforts.

The CEDAW report was compiled after a delegation conducted multiple visits to Nigeria in 2023, engaging with state officials and survivors of the abductions. The findings reveal harrowing details of the survivors' ordeals, including forced marriages, religious conversions, and enduring physical and sexual violence. Notably, many of the freed girls have been left without necessary rehabilitation or training, and their families have often been financially devastated in efforts to secure their release. Currently, 103 girls have been freed, but the fate of 91 remains uncertain, with the government ceasing negotiation efforts for their release.

The Chibok incident in April 2014, where 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram militants from their school in Borno State, highlights a broader pattern of forced abductions and disappearances of children in Nigeria. Boko Haram, whose name translates to "Western education is forbidden by Islam," has consistently targeted educational institutions in a stark opposition to Western education, particularly for women.

As a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Nigeria is obligated to uphold the rights prescribed in the treaty, which includes taking measures to eliminate discrimination against women. Furthermore, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights mandates the country to ensure the life, liberty, and security of individuals.

This report from CEDAW not only underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing the aftermath of such abductions but also holds the Nigerian government accountable for its failure to protect and support its female citizens adequately. The international community continues to watch closely as Nigeria navigates these grave human rights challenges.