Thesis Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with profound implications for the victims, their families, and the society at large. This study focuses on the effect of GBV in Nigeria, with a specific emphasis on the operations of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). NAPTIP plays a crucial role in addressing various forms of GBV, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced labor, and domestic violence. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of GBV in Nigeria. Quantitative data is gathered from official reports, surveys, and databases to assess the prevalence and trends of GBV cases in the country. Qualitative interviews are conducted with survivors of GBV, NAPTIP officials, law enforcement agents, and civil society organizations to explore the challenges and successes in combating GBV. The findings of the study reveal the multifaceted effects of GBV on individuals, families, and communities in Nigeria. Victims of GBV often experience physical injuries, psychological trauma, social stigma, and economic hardship. These effects can have long-lasting consequences, leading to mental health disorders, social isolation, and economic marginalization. Furthermore, GBV perpetuates a cycle of violence, as survivors may be at a higher risk of experiencing further abuse in the future. The study also highlights the critical role of NAPTIP in addressing GBV in Nigeria. The agency has made significant strides in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of GBV, providing support services to survivors, and raising public awareness about the issue. However, NAPTIP faces various challenges in its efforts to combat GBV effectively, including limited resources, inadequate legal frameworks, and social norms that condone violence against women and girls. In conclusion, this research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address GBV in Nigeria. Efforts to prevent and respond to GBV must involve a multi-sectoral approach, including legal reforms, capacity building for law enforcement agencies, and awareness-raising campaigns to challenge harmful gender norms. By addressing the root causes of GBV and providing support to survivors, Nigeria can create a safer and more equitable society for all its citizens.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to a 2006 report by the UN Secretary General, violence against women and girls is pervasive across all cultures, regions and diverse social categories around the world. However, it manifests differently and in varying levels of intensity according to the socio-cultural and institutional factors that shape it.

Likewise, A UN Women’s country report (2008) on violence against women and girls in Nigeria presented empirical evidence of the pervasiveness of genderbased violence across the country’s six geopolitical zones. Another UN Women study conducted in 2014 on women’s engagement in peace and security in three conflict-ridden states in northern Nigeria indicated that VAWG is on the upsurge, particularly in post-conflict areas. This assertion is borne out in the proliferation of media reports on various forms of violence affecting women and girls of all ages and walks of life. As a result of the increased prevalence of VAWG, the DFID-sponsored Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) supported the establishment of five Observatories on GBV in five states (Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Rivers), covering three geopolitical zones.

This study provides a comparative review of the issues and challenges encountered by these observatories while trying to tackle VAWG. It argues that while there is greater acknowledgement of direct forms of gender-based violence as a growing social malaise warranting policy attention, various dimensions of structural violence underlying them are largely overlooked.