Advertisement The CSOs made the call during a programme to mark the 16 days of gender-based violence (GBV) activism 2020″, which held virtually on Tuesday. The event featured stories of victims of gender-based violence and responses during the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as recommendations from participants on how to curb the menace. The civil society groups include Arewa Radio; Life Helpers Initiative; Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP); News Day Online; Nagata Change Initiative; Comfort Literacy Intervention and Capacity Enlightenment; Women Friendly Initiative and Mirabel Centre: Sexual Assault Referal Centre. Advertisement According to the CSOs, gender-based violence was on an “alarming increase” during the COVID-19 lockdown.