Evaluation of Women’s Access to Justice in Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Kogi State

Access to formal justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a critical challenge in Nigeria, with institutional, cultural, and economic barriers collectively suppressing reporting and prosecution rates. This study evaluates women's access to justice in SGBV cases in Kogi State, focusing on Lokoja, Kabba-Bunu, and Idah Local Government Areas. A mixed-method design was employed, with 200 SGBV survivors, 30 legal aid workers, and 20 police and judiciary officials forming the study sample. Structured questionnaires and key informant interviews provided data, analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings reveal that fewer than 12% of SGBV incidents in the study area result in formal reports to police or legal institutions. Fear of social stigma, distrust of law enforcement, lack of legal awareness, financial barriers, and pressure from family and community to settle cases informally are the dominant barriers. Cases that reach the courts face protracted delays averaging 22 months to judgment. Police officers and prosecutors demonstrate limited SGBV-specific training. Recommendations include establishing SGBV one-stop centres in Kogi State, deploying female police officers to SGBV desks, and providing free legal aid services for survivors. Keywords: access to justice, SGBV, women, Kogi State, legal barriers