Project Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with significant social, economic, and health implications. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) plays a crucial role in addressing GBV by providing support services to victims and implementing laws to prevent and punish perpetrators. This study aims to explore the effect of gender-based violence in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the work of NAPTIP. The research will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews and case studies. Quantitative data will be collected from NAPTIP reports, government statistics, and existing research on GBV in Nigeria. This data will be analyzed to identify trends in the prevalence and types of GBV, as well as the demographic characteristics of victims and perpetrators. Qualitative data will be collected through interviews with NAPTIP officials, service providers, and GBV survivors. These interviews will explore the challenges faced by NAPTIP in addressing GBV, as well as the impact of GBV on individuals, families, and communities. Case studies will provide in-depth insights into specific incidents of GBV and the responses of NAPTIP and other stakeholders. The study will examine the social, economic, and health effects of GBV in Nigeria, including its impact on women's rights, access to education and employment, and physical and mental health. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of NAPTIP's interventions in preventing and responding to GBV, including awareness campaigns, legal support, and rehabilitation services. By documenting the experiences of GBV survivors and the efforts of NAPTIP, this research aims to raise awareness of the issue and inform policy and programming to address GBV in Nigeria. The findings will contribute to the existing literature on GBV in Nigeria and provide recommendations for improving support services, legal frameworks, and prevention strategies. Overall, this study will provide valuable insights into the effect of gender-based violence in Nigeria and the role of NAPTIP in combating this pervasive issue. It will highlight the need for a coordinated and comprehensive response to GBV, involving government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

Project 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.