ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN SOME SELECTED STATES IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is designed to examine and assess the prevalence of violence against women in some selected states of North Eastern Nigeria: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. In Nigeria, women experience violence in the hand of their male counterparts. Cases like rape, sexual assault, beating, acid attacks, molestation, and corporal punishment are the forms of violence against women in our society. The findings of the study also revealed that on a daily basis, women are beaten and ill-treated for supposed, transgressions, rape and even murdered by members of their family. The study adopted the descriptive research design, where copies of the questionnaire were distributed to respondents in the study areas. The research population have involved government officials, legal practitioners, security personnel and Women Associations in the study areas. The researchers selected a sample of 422 respondents that were drawn using purposive sampling method. The secondary data collected through literature review while primary data collected from the respondents using questionnaire/interviews. Governors should assent to all outstanding human rights legislation namely the Gender and Equal Opportunities Act, Child Rights Act, VAPP Act, legislation creating a Special Rights Agency and domestication of the Kampala Convention once passed by the State House of Assembly. Ministry of Justice to Set up a Special Court on GBV as part of the existing High Court to operate in other judicial divisions with prosecution and defence lawyers, judges and court personnel trained in handling GBV cases, a practice direction sent out, procedures drawn up to protect survivors and suspects and outreach conducted to the police, NSCDC and communities.