Policy Report: Addressing Nigeria’s Shadow Pandemic of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

In 2020, Ejiro Umukoro, a multi award winning investigative journalist in Nigeria was recognised internationally by the Pulitzer Centre (USA) for her deep dive into the gender based violence (GBV) and child abuse across Nigeria and the Africa continet, which was a pandemic happening within a the ‘COVID-19 Pandemic‘. The 4-part series investigative report identified the root causes, triggers, enablers and solutions to address the recalcitrant social vice that wreaked unimaginable havoc to those it crossed paths with.

Nigeria faced a shadow pandemic of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdown. 18-year-old Barakat Bello was reportedly raped and killed in Oyo state. 29-year-old Azeezat Shomuyiwa and 21-year-old Grace Oshiagwu also suffered similar fates just days and few streets apart. In late March 2020, a video from Ghana surfaced on social media showing a boyfriend assaulting his girlfriend.

In Yobe, a husband chopped off his wife’s right hand because she had gone to a wedding he had not approved for her to go while the lockdown is still in effect. The woman is currently being treated at the State Hospital in Yobe.

In Delta State, during an interview with the Chairperson of FIDA, Barr. Stella Mejulu, she explained that in the last week of March, four weeks into the lockdown, she went to court over a case of homicide where a woman was murdered. She also noted that rape and molestation of minors involving high profile older men and patricide were also on the rise.

A study commissioned by the ministry of women’s affairs and social development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) Nigeria, with support from the Norwegian Government, found out that 28 percent of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15. The study also reports that 15 percent of women experienced physical violence within 12 months, while 25 percent of married women or those living with their spouses have experienced violence. The most common acts of violence against women in Nigeria include sexual harassment, physical violence, harmful traditional practices, emotional and psychological violence, socio-economic violence, and violence against non-combatant women in conflict situations.

Unfortunately, due to lack of structural social service systems in place in Nigeria, access to hotlines, shelters, civil society groups, and non-government organizations specialized in providing support and legal expertise is far and in between, or non-existent. Reports on gender-based violence have more than doubled. According to the founding director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi.

Rape, assault, threats and harassment against women became prevalent and so did domestic and sexual violence against minors the result of which led to the declaration of the state of emergency by former President Muhammadu Buhari following investigative reports by journalists who dared to uncover this menace during lockdown.

GBV and Femicide Across Africa and the Globe During Lockdown

In Cote D’Ivoire where the government’s response to COVID-19 was a partial lockdown, Barbara Sangare, a facilitator in the country observed that intimate gender violence has increased. She explained in an interview that a woman was thrown from the third floor of a tall building after being beaten late at night by her partner. 

A similar spike was noted in Nigeria by the Domestic Violence Referral Centre in Lagos, which reported about a 35 percent increase.

South Africa had an increase of almost 87,000 reports within 4-6 weeks of the lockdown. Caroline Peters, a Gender and Community Advocate in South Africa explained that “violence against women has gone up 70%. Xenophobic attacks against foreign women who are refugees or asylum seekers have increased and gangsterism within many homes has become high with husbands beating and compelling their wives to fund their drug habits and violent behavior. Withdrawal symptoms among men who are users is commonplace. Because they no longer have access to their drugs, they lash out on their wives and children within the home.” she noted.

In 2024, this incidents are even more prevalent. At the heart of the menace, misogyny has been identified as its major driver. Misogyny is a deep-seated bias, hatred, and discrimination against women perpetuated by cultural, religious or traditional notions and ideas of a woman’s totem position, relevance or significance in the social order created by extreme patriarchal ideologies and caste. According to a Punch Report in November 2024, over 100 recorded cases of femicide has been documented within ten months in the year. A similar report by Document Women also highlights this disturbing trend.

Femicide, the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man and on account of her gender is now at a record crisis.

Nigeria’s Unrelenting Pandemic: From Gender-Based Violence to Femicide

As Nigeria struggles to contain the crisis of femicide, fueled by misogyny, entrenched patriarchal ideologies, and the economic independence of women, it is clear that immediate action is necessary. The government, civil society organizations, educational institutions, religious and cultural bodies, including individuals must collaborate to address this crisis and ensure the safety and protection of all Nigerians, particularly women and girls.

A disturbing trend which continues to fuel misogyny where the police often view violence against married women or those in relationships as a “home or family matter,” rather than a serious criminal act. This mindset is further exacerbated when police officers respond to such incidents as men answerable to a perceived “men’s code,” prioritizing the protection of their male counterparts over upholding the law. This blatant disregard for the Prohibition of Violence Against Persons Act necessitates an immediate and drastic review of the recruitment process for police officers, with a focus on selecting individuals with the right mindset, values, and character. Global celebrated Comedian, Trevor Noah, exposes this perilous mindset prevalent among some South African policemen in his memoir, Born a Crime. It should be noted that this mindset amongst police officers is pervasive across the African continent. Noah recounts his harrowing personal experiences, including the traumatic events his mother endured at the hands of his stepfather, who threatened, harassed, and ultimately shot at her. This disturbing account highlights the corrupting influence of the police legal system, which perpetuates a culture of impunity and hinders efforts to address the scourge of police brutality and corruption. Alarmingly, Noah reveals how some police officers prioritize a toxic “bro code” over upholding the law, protecting dangerous men who commit violent crimes against women instead of bringing them to justice.

As the primary guardians of community safety and protection, the police must be held to the highest standards. Their failure to do so undermines the rule of law and perpetuates a culture of impunity, leaving women and girls vulnerable to violence and abuse. It is imperative that Nigeria takes decisive action to address this crisis and ensure that all citizens, regardless of gender, are safe and protected.

The excutive summary of this policy report highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address SGBV, femicide and domestic violence including data-driven journalism, policy reforms, and community engagement.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a spike in SGBV cases and a disturbing incresse in femicide in Nigeria, with reports of rape, defilement, and sodomy and intimate partner violence increasing. This report examines the root causes of SGBV and femicide, the challenges in addressing it, and proposes recommendations for policy reforms and community engagement.

Conceptual representation of a femicide tree:

Roots:

• Patriarchal ideologies (“a woman is seen, not heard”; “keep your opinion to yourself where men are speaking”; “I paid for your bride price, so I own you”).
• Misogyny: misogyny—deep-seated bias, hatred, and discrimination against women .(“your husband has a right to beat or punish you as religion and culture demands”).
• Social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender-based violence (“I paid for your bride price, so I own you”; “inheritance is for only boys and men. Not women and girls”. “Unless you’re married, it is wrong for a woman to buy a land or own her own house”).

Trunk:

• Systemic inequality and discrimination (a woman can not bail anyone in police station”; “you need your husband’s or make guardian to give you permission to apply for an international passport”).
• Lack of access to education and economic opportunities (“a woman’s place is in the kitchen”; “you mate are marrying, you’re looking for money to go to school!”).
• Inadequate laws and policies to protect women and girls

Branches:

• Intimate partner violence
• Sexual violence and harassment
• Human trafficking and exploitation
• Honor killings and other forms of gender-based violence

Leaves:

• Individual cases of femicide
• Unreported and undocumented cases of gender-based violence
• Survivors and victims’ families and communities

Fruits:

• Silence and impunity
• Normalization of gender-based violence
• Perpetuation of patriarchal ideologies and power structures

This femicide tree illustrates the complex and interconnected factors that contribute to femicide and gender-based violence. It highlights the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to addressing these issues, including challenging patriarchal ideologies, promoting gender equality, and supporting survivors and victims’ families and communities.

Systems and Root Causes of SGBV and Femicide

1. Lack of data: Inadequate data collection and analysis hinder efforts to address SGBV.
2. Weak policy framework: Existing laws and policies are inadequate, and their implementation is often ineffective.
3. Societal attitudes: Cultural and societal norms perpetuate SGBV, with victims often blamed or stigmatized.
4. Inadequate support services: Insufficient support services, including counseling, medical care, and shelter, exacerbate the problem.

Challenges in Addressing SGBV

1. Limited resources: Insufficient funding and resources hinder efforts to address SGBV.
2. Corruption and impunity: Corruption and impunity within the justice system perpetuate SGBV.
3. Stigma and silence: Societal stigma and silence surrounding SGBV prevent victims from seeking help.

Confronting Femicide: A Conceptual Solutions Tree for Immediate Intervention

The need to take urgent action now.

Roots:

• Challenging patriarchal ideologies and social norms (“a woman can seen and heard”; “express your opinion even in the midst of”; “a bride price is an important symbol of how important our marriage is. Only animals are bought”).
• Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment (“inheritance is both for boys and girls, women and men”. “A single woman can choose to buy a land or own a house of her own house”).
• Encouraging healthy masculinity and male allyship (no man or boy has a right to physically beat, assault, harrass, bully, or punish you irrespective of religion or culture”).

Trunk:

• Strengthening laws and policies to protect women and girls
• Improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities
• Supporting survivors and victims’ families and communities

Branches:

• Government and policymakers:
  • Enacting and enforcing laws to prevent femicide
  • Allocating resources for education, healthcare, and social services
  • Supporting research and data collection on femicide
• Civil society organizations and activists:
  • Raising awareness and promoting advocacy on femicide
  • Providing support services for survivors and victims’ families
  • Pushing for policy changes and legal reforms
• Communities and individuals:
  • Challenging harmful social norms and behaviors
  • Supporting survivors and victims’ families
  • Engaging in activism and advocacy efforts
• Men and boys:
  • Promoting healthy masculinity and male allyship
  • Challenging patriarchal ideologies and social norms
  • Supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality

Leaves:

• Increased awareness and education on femicide
• Improved access to support services for survivors
• Strengthened laws and policies to prevent femicide
• Shifts in social norms and behaviors to promote gender equality

Fruits:

• Reduced rates of femicide
• Improved safety and well-being for women and girls
• Increased gender equality and women’s empowerment
• A culture of respect, inclusivity, and empathy.

Recommendations

1. Establish a national data collection system: Develop a comprehensive data collection system to track SGBV cases.
2. Strengthen policy framework: Review and strengthen existing laws and policies to address SGBV.
3. Community engagement and education: Launch public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and promote community engagement.
4. Increase support services: Establish more support services, including counseling, medical care, and shelter, for victims of SGBV.

Conclusion

Addressing Nigeria’s shadow pandemic of SGBV requires a comprehensive approach that includes data-driven journalism, policy reforms, and community engagement. By working together, we can create a safer, more just society for all Nigerians.

Recommendations:

1. Establish a national data collection system to track SGBV cases.
2. Strengthen existing laws and policies to address SGBV.
3. Launch public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and promote community engagement.
4. Increase support services, including counseling, medical care, and shelter, for victims of SGBV.

Action Required:

• Allocate funds for data collection and analysis.
• Review and strengthen existing laws and policies.
• Launch public awareness campaigns.
• Establish more support services for victims of SGBV.

SIDEBAR:

• Did you know that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of femicide in Africa?
• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 50% increase in GBV cases in Nigeria.
• The Nigerian government has allocated N20 billion to address GBV in the 2024 budget.

CALL TO ACTION:

If you or someone you know has been affected by GBV or femicide, please call the national helpline on 0800-SGBV-HELP (0800-742-8435). You can also report cases of GBV or femicide to the nearest police station or visit the website of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for more information.