1. Situation of Violence against Women in Nigeria
Domestic violence refers to the intentional and continuous abuse of any person in a home through ways that can bring pain, injuries, or distress. Domestic violence entails any ill treatment of a family member by another member. It can involve fighting of intimate partners, sexual abuse, marital rape, or other cultural practices, which pose as harmful to women. According to Angya (2005), families in every racial, economic, social, educational, and religious background suffer from domestic violence against women in various ways.
A report describing the situation of violence against women in Nigeria reveals that there is a high level of this gender-based violence against women (Afrol News, 2007). A report by Amnesty International (2005) that more than a third of women in Nigeria are subject to either sexual, physical, or psychological violence crimes against them by their fathers, partners, or husbands. Many girls in Nigeria suffer from gender-based violence through forceful early marriages, which if they attempt to resist, they risk punishment. The situation of violence against women in Nigeria gets worse in the sense that there is little reporting, and no documentation of these domestic crimes against women because of factors like culture in Nigeria (Angya, 2005).
According to a survey by Effah and Project Alert (2001) on violence on women in Nigeria, interviews on women in markets, young women, and school girls shows that of the 64.4% of this affirm to experience beating by a husband or boyfriend.
Survey report reveal that methods of violence and women abuse in Nigeria range from a husband or male family member shouting at a partner or female child (93%), kicking or punching (40%), and pushing or slapping (77%). Report further shows that many of these Nigerian women do not understand that these are violence crime against them because they accept them as normal behaviors (Effah and Project Alert (2001).
The discriminatory laws in Nigeria and police who dismiss the many cases Nigerian women file because of violence complicate this problem of violence against women in Nigeria. Reports show that, in a daily basis, women in Nigeria are subjects to battering, rape, or even murder by their partners or family members because of excuses of transgression ranging from these women not preparing meals on time, or visiting members from the woman’s side of family without the consent of the husband.
The situation of violence against women in Nigeria as it is in many states, in Africa is that, battering of wives and girls is from the belief that it is a method of discipline (UNICEF, 2001). Husband beat their wives who their regard as children weak to indiscipline, which is the responsibility of the husbands or men to instill discipline in them. The factors contributing to this situation are from the fact that most women in Nigeria depend on the men economically. The social structure of Nigerian communities is patriarchal. This makes a woman in the Nigerian society as subordinate, and vulnerable to violence against them.
The regard of gender violence against women in Nigeria in the homestead is that belonging to a private sphere, which has protection from external scrutiny. The factor of stigma on violence subjects is a contributing element that reinforces silence against these crimes rather than standing up against the perpetrators of these crimes on women in Nigeria (AfrolNews, 2007).
2. Factors perpetuating violence against women in Nigeria
I. Cultural
Majority of women in Nigeria irrespective of their social groups undergo various forms of domestic violence. Apparently, close relatives and family members are largely responsible for these forms of violence meted on them women. The societal culture, traditions, and beliefs play an elementary role in propagating violence on Nigerian women. Violence on women could be physical, psychological, or sexual. Many societies in Nigeria are awash with cultural practices that undermine the potential of a woman in the societal setting. These cultural practices influence perception of people about women and their roles as far as the progress of the community is concerned. Although scores of men are also victims of domestic violence, women suffer the most in the hands of chauvinistic husbands, fathers, family members, and relatives. Majority of Nigerian communities are deeply rooted in the traditional practices, which further complicate the whole fight against gender violence (Nyengele 2003).
Culturally, Nigerian societies perceive domestic violence as a family matter. Hence, it is the responsibility of the couple together with the extended family to solve the problem amicably without involving law enforcement agencies or legal institutions. Most of Nigerian men still believe that the position of a woman is the kitchen area. In essence, the main and probably the only reason for a woman’s existence are to serve the interests of the husband and family. Traditionally, domestic chores were a preserve for women while men worked hard to feed, clothe, and providing proper shelter for the family. However, in the wake of civilization with more and more Nigerian women acquiring formal education, role allocation in terms of gender has become obsolete. Hence, women are increasingly undertaking roles, which were initially a preserve for men. In effect, this has triggered discontent and fury among the men folk leading to various forms of violence. Hence, it is high time the society woke up to the reality of social change across all sexual categories with both males and females taking up new roles apart from the ones traditionally assigned to them by the society (Nyengele 2003).
Reports about family members assaulting, raping and murdering women for supposed transgressions have dominated a section of the Nigerian media for several years. Nigerian men feel undermined and disrespected when their wives do not prepare meals on time or sometimes paying certain family members a visit without prior permission from their husbands. Men believe that they should be in full control of their homes and would only wish their wives to perform duties that please them (men) as dictated by the traditions and cultural practices. Society does not consider the widespread domestic violence to be as weighty as a woman’s failure to submit to the husband owing to the contemporary civilization. In essence, the society does not punish violence meted on women by the men folk. However, the culture of silence dominates most societies in Nigeria. Apparently, women are afraid of conveying their complaints even to the police for fear of being labeled as bad wives. Thus, they prefer suffering in silence for fear of retribution by the families and society in general (Nyengele 2003).
II. Economic
The economic status of women in Nigeria plays important part in propagating violence against females. In Nigeria, women are the most economically disadvantaged group. Women depend on financial support from their husbands and members of the extended family. Similarly, girls rely entirely on their fathers and male members of the family for financial resources among other forms of economic support. In essence, women have limited opportunities economically, which further complicates their attempt to gain social, political, and financial freedom. Therefore, majority of them have resorted to put up with abusive husbands and families for fear of withdrawal of financial support. Domestic violence has not spared the educated females in the society. Even though such women have achieved remarkable freedom financially and knowledge on the human rights, the cultural beliefs, traditions, and stereotypes still eclipse modern societies in the West African country. In addition, women’s lack of financial security has hampered their quest for justice in the hands of law enforcement agencies (Nyengele 2003).
Unemployment is another issue, which has hampered women’s commitment to achieve economic independence. Many women both in the rural and urban areas are jobless. Thus, they depend on support from family members and close relatives who in most cases are males. This inability to rely on their own sources of revenue has complicated any quest made b y women to attain self-reliance. It is high time the Nigerian government looked into the unemployment menace, which hampered women ambition to attain economic freedom. Gender discrimination at places of work has also frustrated effort made by women to earn promotions in both public and private institutions (Nyengele 2003).
III. Legal
The national laws are discriminatory in nature hence a serious threats to efforts of women to attain safety within the country territories. Apparently, the penal code in the northern states gives way for punishment as a method of correction of a child, wife, pupil, or servant. However, many Nigerian men have abused the code by punishing their wives excessively. Sometimes the feud between the married couple could be a result of slight differences with the blame lying squarely on the man. However, the man might capitalize on the provisions of the penal code to settle scores. In the end, the woman might sustain grave injuries that may eventually lead to death of the wife. Similarly, the state law does not recognize marital rape as far as the definition of rape is concerned. This is largely evident in the northern states and under section 295 of the criminal code, which refers to domestic violence against women as a degree of correctional measure. Nigeria failed to play its part in the contemporary obligations under the international law. Incidentally, the national assembly disallowed the process that would pave way for full domestication of the international law of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This happens against a backdrop of the ratification of CEDAW in the early 1980s without much reservation (Nyengele 2003).
Despite the passage of The Domestic Violence Protection Bill (2006), only four out of Nigeria’s 36 states have comprehensively enacted into a Domestic Violence Law. Although discrimination against women, including issues regarding domestic violence meted upon them are settled at community level by elders, a few elders and family members would dare listening or trusting the women version of the violence. In most cases, elders unanimously dismiss their versions and pass a final verdict in favor of the man. Government’s policy not to publicize records of gender-based violence is disheartening to women. Many women feel shortchange by the very government and the constitution for which they voted in the hope of seeing a change in the methods of administering justice. Dismissive police force has also contributed to escalating rates of domestic violence. This has in turn promoted the culture of stigma and silence of the affected women thereby hindering public knowledge regarding the problem.
IV. Political
The political interference has influenced the dominance of men over their female counterparts in marriages and positions of leadership. Since the majority of members of the national assembly are men, it is seldom for the legislators to pass bills that would eventually favor the grievances of women. Hence, legislations pertaining to finding permanent solution to domestic violence as well as bringing criminals to book have been successful several times. It is high time the government looked into societal challenges that have propagated social prejudices and institutional structures in a bid to protect its women against social injustices and discrimination (AfrolNews, 2007).
Description of the institutional/structural factors that condone the violence
Different institutions have promoted abuse of women, social injustices, as well as discrimination against women in the society. The judicial system has to blame for bias in law application and reluctance to fully implement laws passed by national assembly particularly those that concerns domestic violence. The law enforcement agencies, largely dominated by men, have also played a part in several instances where criminals of domestic violence and female discrimination go unpunished. Nigerian police and the Criminal Investigations Agency have to blame for the slow pace of enforcing the law. Similarly, the national assembly have equal share of blame for derailing bills that attempt to tame the escalating instances of domestic violence in the country. Finally, the executive arm of the Government has to blame for neglecting victims of domestic violence and paralyzing efforts women have made to achieve justice (Nyengele 2003).
3. Nigeria’s CEDAW Status
The government of Nigeria ratified CEDAW in the year 1985 devoid of reservations. Accordingly, it encompasses the responsibility of fulfilling the entire obligations acknowledged in article two directed at the promotion of CEDAW principles. Nonetheless, the situational analysis of human rights of women in Nigeria, demonstrates that the government of Nigeria does not carry out its obligations as required by CEDAW. The wretched state of rights of women in Nigeria is attributable to the lack of domestication, as well as, lack of implementation of CEDAW. The periodic reports of Nigeria ought to make known the measures embarked on by the government towards fulfilling its obligations as stipulated under the convention. There should also be incorporation of procedures undertaken in order to deal with violations of human rights of women in every ramification (Arowolo & Aluko, 2010).
Whereas there has been a government acknowledgement of existing, discriminatory practices against women sustained through discriminatory legislation, guiding principles, and cultural along with societal agents, it remains silent in numerous respects on the measures carried out to address such the concerns. As such, the official report from Nigeria fails to reflect the actual reality of the Nigerian women. The necessity of putting the human right situation of Nigerian women into proper perspective, particularly before the UN CEDAW Committee, brings about the shadow report.
Accordingly, the silhouette report endeavors to present the actual scenario of the human rights of Nigerian women to the Committee. The intention lies in its utilization as an advocacy instrument of constructively engage the Nigerian government regarding its responsibility for the promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerian women. The height of discrimination against Nigerian women remains extremely high. The 1999 constitution of Nigeria fails to provide a detailed description regarding the notion of discrimination against women. This is because it merely gives an overall consideration against every discrimination form including discrimination on the grounds of sex (Arowolo & Aluko, 2010).
Additional regulations, which exist particularly on discrimination against women, are present only in five states even though their enforcement is rare. Certain provisions of the constitution out rightly discriminate against the Nigerian women. Case in point, there is a provision in the constitution that women married to or marrying no-citizens of Nigeria, cannot bestow Nigerian nationality on their companions by virtue of their marital women, whereas Nigerian men marrying non-citizens of Nigeria automatically encompass Nigerian citizenship bestowed on their wives based on marriage.
There has not been an effective implementation of the majority of legal, socio-economic, and political structures required for the promotion and protection of the rights of women. In the year 2007, there was a rejection by the national assembly on CEDAW domestication bill. The rejection stood as a decisive test for the equality of gender in Nigeria. This consequently put on hold the integrating process of CEDAW convention as an essential element of the legal, administrative and criminal justice system in Nigeria. Further, there has been a failure on the part of the National Empowerment and Development Strategy to keep the majority of its promises following its inception as the economic blue print of the country. There has not been the creation of seven million occupations envisioned to decrease the amount of jobless women in Nigeria. The promise to accelerate the privatization of the powerful Nigerian economy heights including gas and oil segments have instead impoverished further numerous Nigerians, particularly women. There has been outsourcing of fundamental services such as health, education, and water under NEEDS to the public and private participation (Durojaye & Balogun, 2010).
There has been an ongoing reinforcement of gender stereotyping in Nigeria as sequences of socialization agents such as the schools, family, mosques, media, and the churches increasingly become custodians, as well as, gender role disseminators, prejudices, discriminatory, and stereotypes cultures. Both boys and girls grow up in the Nigerian social order consenting to male superiority at the expense of female with the patriarchal arrangement becoming an unquestionable phenomenon. The religious leaders, teachers, police officers, artistes, and parents in Nigeria commonly work to campaign for intolerable customary practices and convictions that go against the rights of women. As such, customary observations such as male child preference, female genital mutilation, as well as, rites of widowhood remain prevalent in the majority of parts in Nigeria (Arowolo & Aluko, 2010).
A further reinforcement of gender stereotypes comes about owing to the lack of state run legislation intended at not abusing the minds of individuals regarding such stereotypes, along with specification on the punishment for lawbreakers. Exploitation and trafficking of children and women in Nigeria still carry on owing to the government only focusing on NAPTIP and legal regulations as checkups of the syndrome whereas the remote grounds of exploitation and trafficking such as unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy amongst many others, remain yet to be regarded significant pointers that require addressing. At the policy or political level, only 3 percent of the Nigerian women have accomplished one level of elective or appointive position at the regional, state, and national levels. Consequently, the 30 percent positive action made to enhance the participation of women in public and political life encounters serious hampering concerning implementation (Durojaye & Balogun, 2010).
As such, the participation of Nigerian women in politics has barely gotten better over the years. The state-run gender policy designed in the year 2006 to substitute the policy on women is also a paper tiger since it has no backing by the force of law, as well as, still awaiting implementation. These elements continue contributing to the widening of gaps between men and women in Nigeria. The above-mentioned are the numerous predicaments attached with the protection, promotion, and fulfillment of the rights of women in Nigeria. They also point out to why the Nigerian women continue suffering discriminations. These predicaments persist majorly because the government of Nigeria has thus far evaded in its responsibility of domesticating CEDAW. Consequently, this has created the greatest challenge regarding implementation of CEDAW in Nigeria (Durojaye & Balogun, 2010).
4. Describe one program (usually NGOs) the country that helps women experiencing violence
The Department for International Development is a non-governmental organisation set in 1997 and based in the United Kingdom. It aims at being a universal leader on transparency and considers transparency as essential to improving its responsibility to citizens in the UK and to citizens around other countries. Its programme centres on structuring the ability of the Federal, State and local administration in Nigeria. This department concentrates its efforts in supporting attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, creating wealth in poor countries and reinforcing their governance with security. Its focus is also in providing the services the Nigerian citizens need using a transparent manner with appropriate accountability systems. This department puts women and girls at the heart of its growth. It has set out pillars that will enable it have the greatest and most effectual action with the intention of improving and sustaining the lives of women through preventing violence against girls and women.
What are they doing, how are they doing it?
To improve the access of women to integrity and security services, DFID is supporting intrusions to strengthen and develop security services including police, rules and administrative strategies. They aim at helping women get justice through legal assistance and courts. These include supporting violence survivors in seeking lawful redress and solving clashes on issues such as inheritance. To get support, skills and performance incentives that will help DFID put girls and women at the centre of its work; the department has resulted to investigating their system of organization and staffing. There work includes strengthening their gender expertise and social development. The department is using gender champions in DFID, and those beyond to work together, influence resources, and send a message that developing the lives of millions of adolescent girls and women is vital for the future of Nigeria and for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Are they working from a human rights, development, or public health perspective?
The Department for International development works from a human rights perspective. During a dialogue with the Nigerian government, DFID raised human rights concerns as part of the discussion. According to the UK human rights assessment, majority of Nigerian population have a limited access to basic services. To help the people access to these services, DFID has come up with ranges of programs for promoting education, maternal health, sanitation and sustaining economic prospects for poor Nigerian, men and women. The assessment found out that there is an underrepresentation of women politically such that there is only 6% in the national assembly. The Department for International Development is working towards empowering women through educating them to help curb this problem of gender inequality. The UK Government is encouraging civil, economic, social, and political, human rights through programs such as DFID and diplomatic efforts. DFID has come up with a Deepening Democracy Programme to help reinforce political and civil rights. There is also a justice for all programs that enable them promote the rule of law and access to justice. They have invested heavily in programmes that empower women.
Are they addressing the violence at an Individual, community or societal level?
DFID addresses violence against women at a societal level. It encourages innovative approaches in dealing with issues that affect these women through partnerships to bring transformational results for girls and women. It works with mutual and multilateral partners among them the UN women to improve the response to support women empowerment. DFID focuses in helping these women to receive justice and encourage them to participate in national activities such as politics. These will serve as a gateway to achieving Nigeria’s MDGs.
Prevention activities and frameworks put in place to address violence against women in Nigeria
Preventing women violence in Nigeria has proved to be a difficult task despite all the country’s status and the different NGO organization, which have been formed to stop it. For many years, the country has struggled to end violence against women. It is because of the violence against women that the country recently decided to celebrate International Women’s day. The country units in fighting violence meted on women. Violence against women takes different forms including rape and domestic violence. These two have been the most common types of domestic violence in the country, although there are other forms of domestic violence. Other forms of violence against women might include widowhood rites, women trafficking, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, and early marriages. In the 2005, several groups including the concerned Mother of Nigeria protested against women violence in the country. In places such as Abeokuta, women peaceful march in a bid to raise awareness against the rising numbers of violence against women in the country (Parrot, 2006).
It is with such calls that the country has embarked to combating violence against women. Many developments have been put in place to cut across various institutions to help fight violence against women. Institutions such as the uniformed personnel, which include civil defense, Immigration department and the custom and excise, are some of the institutions and organizations that have been mandated to help fight women violence in Nigeria. The country has also embarked incorporating gender responsiveness and different initiatives into the country (Parrot, 2006). Education programs have set up in the societies to educate the nation on the need to avoid and fight violence against women. Some companies in the country have come out strongly in support of the campaign against women violence.
Some of the methods the companies have put in place include; initiating TV reality shows, dancing competitions and even talent hunt shows. The companies have also engaged in flagging up of messages regarding anti-violence behaviors in some of their products. The corporations are also sponsoring some of the civil societies in their campaigns against addressing violence against women in Nigeria. In other situations, some corporations are taking up violence against women causes as part of the corporation’s social responsibility. The country has also set up strict measures such as fines and jail sentences against any culprit found to found to be violating any woman (Cave Hill, 2007).
What is your assessment of the status of women in this country at this time?
The situation and lives of women in Nigeria completely differs from women in other nations. Women in this nation retain economic opportunities, which are within the country’s social systems. Women in the country have formed different organizations to help them address and fight issues regarding gender violence. To date, there is a positive progress on the vice.
How did your country participate in INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY?
International Women’s day was carried on March 6, and around 10, 000 women and men gathered in the City’s park and took part in the day’s festival and militant march. Generally, the group was calling for equality, justice, solidarity, and peace. Various women groups’ members carried dummies around the country and distributed demands leaflets of the movements to various corporations and organizations. Citizens were given pink budges to indicate support for the women through their campaign against gender violence. Various shows and activities were performed by various women through ought the country (Cave Hill, 2007). The shows were aired live on the national television. The government and the civil societies also came up with educational programs on how to stop violence against women.
References
AfrolNews (2007) Half of Nigeria’s Women experience domestic violence. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from <http://www.afro.com/awrticles/16471>
Amnesty International. (2005). Nigeria: Unheard voices – violence against women in the family. London: International Secretariat.
Angya, C. (2005). Perspectives on violence against women in Nigeria. Makurdi, Nigeria: Aboki Pub.
Arowolo, D., & Aluko, F. S. (2010). Women and Political Participation in Nigeria. European Journal Of Social Science, 14(3/4), 581-593.
Durojaye, E., & Balogun, V. (2010). Human Rights Implications of Mandatory Premarital HIV Testing in Nigeria. International Journal Of Law, Policy & The Family, 24(2), 245-265.
Effah, J., Osarenren, N., & Project Alert on Violence Against Women. (2001). Beyond boundaries: Violence against women in Nigeria. Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria: Project Alert on Violence Against Women.
Nyengele, M. F. (2003). African women’s theology, gender relations, and family systems theory: Pastoral theological considerations and guidelines for care and counseling. New York: Peter Lang.
Parrot, A., & Cummings, N. (2006). Forsaken females: The global brutalization of women. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
UNICEF (2001) Children and Women’s rights in Nigeria: A wake up call situation assessment and analysis. Edited by Hodge. Abuja: National Population Commission and UNICEF
University of the West Indies (Cave Hill, Barbados). (2007). Report of the International Women’s Day activities. Cave Hill, St. Michael?: Centre for Gender and Development Studies. University of the West Indies.
