The Case of ‘Violence Against Women’ in Nigeria and Abroad

 

A recent news story by BBC News, “The Women Vanishing Without a Trace” sparked our interests because of its theme of violence against women, as it highlights the problem of “thousands of women and girls disappearing in Mexico every year.”

The Nigerian problem regarding violence against women is not one of girls and women disappearing or human trafficking, but instead sexual and domestic violence. According to UNICEF, “1 out of every 4 girls…in Nigeria suffers sexual violence.” According to Vanguard Newspaper, Executive Director/Managing partner, Partnership for Justice, Mrs. Itoro Eze- Anaba conducted research on domestic and sexual violence. Anaba, who, Vanguard claims, wrote the first “Domestic Violence Bill in Nigeria” found that a number of “young girls, secondary school girls, were victims of sexual assault right in their homes.” Similarly, she discovered that despite the numerous cases of domestic violence, there was “no law to protect women.”

The problem is, many of us know that these crises are happening. We are aware that women in Nigeria are not as protected as they should, perpetuators are not held responsible and victims are mostly blamed when sexual and domestic violence occurs. We need to start a discussion surrounding these issues, support causes such as Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) and begin a dialogue about domestic violence, sexual violence and all other forms of violence against women.

Say no to victim blaming, allow women to have a space and freedom to share their experience so that they may empower others to come forward against violence against women.

by Kathryn Ani-Otoibhi