Socio-economic Implications of Gender-based Violence in Nigeria
“To those who abuse: the sin is yours, the crime is yours, and the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: blaming the victims only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse. Stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest”
—Flora Jessop—
Introduction
A big bang on the wall and the various clatters that follow in quick succession always mean one thing: our neighbour is home, and his wife is paying the price for the day’s frustrations. Fatima, as we call her, will greet you with a large smile the following morning, and remind you that you have no reason to worry about the noises from last night. She is among the 10,000 Nigerian women reportedly suffering Gender-based violence on a day-to-day basis (UNFPA, 2021). What could be the reason for Fatima’s denial? Could it be fear or is it despair? Is there a natural ladder that predisposes one to misery based on gender? No! One’s gender is not a reason for weakness. It should be an identity that guarantees one’s security.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV): A call for concern?
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defined GBV as harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It can take different forms: physical, sexual, emotional, and economic dimensions (UNHCR, 2021). This captures the idea of not exempting anyone when considering potential victims—males and females are both susceptible. But one particular gender is taking most of the bullets. In Lagos State, between January 2020 and May 2021, 753 gender-based violence reports were received (Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty, 2021). Males totalled 89, while the females accounted for 664 of the total victims. These figures reflect the situation in other parts of Nigeria—women at the centre of this social catastrophe!
The dominant patriarchal norms, which many cultural institutions in Nigerian societies encourage, give many women a series of disadvantages that make them prone to different forms of GBV. For instance, child marriages, forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and demands of widowhood rites, place significant socio-economic limitations on the welfare of women and the girl-child. This leaves a striking thought on women’s position in Nigeria. Are women secondary humans?
To begin with, the United States Missions in Nigeria (2021) reported that one in three women and girls living in Nigeria aged 15 to 24 years have experienced GBV. Each of these cases depicts different shades of trauma and unpleasant consequences for society through social disruptions and massive economic costs.
Furthermore, Nigeria loses 8.9 billion dollars to violence against women and child marriages annually (UNICEF, 2021). And a 2015 research at Coventry University found that, per incident, the average unit cost of GBV to Nigerian households is about 16, 465 Naira on each household (Okafor, 2020). Besides, 40% of Nigerians still live in poverty (National Bureau of Statistics, 2020)—the negative outlook GBV places on the overall development of the Nigerian economy shows why we have so many of our population unable to meet their daily requirements.
Also, domestic violence, which is a leading type of GBV in Nigeria, translates to devastating effects on the financial strength and success of companies, as workers who are victims of abuse will have reduced efficiency due to the burdens of trauma. Society suffers, as it would experience poor quality in output from service providers. How much can we save if we all commit to the end of this social emergency? The answer is a lot.
Of course, it is not just the economy that suffers the heavy blows of GBV; its consequence on the social aspect of society is as disruptive as the economic implications. Victimized adults often attempt to escape the pains and the traumas of their past by practising more destructive behaviours such as increased alcohol intake, and drug abuse, or they might be forced to repeat the mistreatment that was done to them (Al Ubaidi, 2017). This will eventually translate into an environment that encourages little regard for essential human rights.
In addition, the social implications of GBV translate to feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem for many of its victims. Such individuals find it difficult to trust others—which pays society no good. This leaves them with psychological and physical injuries that often trigger depression and in many cases result in the thought or the act of suicide.
Also, some researchers have conveyed the concern that children whose mothers suffer abuse from their partners have intelligent quotients (IQs) lower than usual (BBC New Education, 2003). Living in a background where a caregiver is physically or emotionally maltreated can be psychologically devastating for children. These children end up struggling throughout their academic journey. This would eventually mean the introduction of graduates with low skill-set into Nigeria’s labour force when they graduate.
The socio-economic effects of GBV in Nigeria are costs too difficult to bear. It is not a cost that we should bear at all!
The way forward
Going forward, a shift in mind-set is crucial. We must remind people like Fatima that it is okay to speak up, and that life comes first before giving any attention to societal cultures that impose restrictive demands. Perpetrators of human rights abuse must be made to face due justice regardless of gender or class. By doing so the citizenry will develop trust in the judicial system and muster the courage to speak up when faced with issues of GBV.
Moreover, the Nigerian government must ensure that all states develop action plans that enforce the implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibited Act of 2015 and deliver proper funding channels to these states.
Conclusion
Finally, to help our socio-economic outlook as a nation, GBV must be seen as a growing public health emergency. It is only with such consciousness that we can give it the attention that it requires. Safety, peace and dignity are fundamental. They are never optional!
References
UNHCR Africa (2021). Gender-based Violence. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html
Adelagun O. (2021). 89 men, 664 women victims of gender-based violence in Lagos-official. Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved June 29, 2022, from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/459482-89-men-664-women-victims-of-gender-based-violence-in-lagos-official.html
Ugbodaga K. (2021, December, 11) 10000 Nigerian suffer GBV daily, cases underreported-UNFPA. PM News Nigeria. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/12/11/10000-nigerians-suffer-gbv-daily-cases-underreported-unfpa/%3famp=1
US Mission Nigeria (2021, August, 4). USAID launches new activity to counter growing gender-based violence in Nigeria. US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://ng.usembassy.gov/usaid-launches-new-activity-to-counter-growing-gender-based-violence-in-nigeria/
UNICEF (2018 September). Child Marriages in West and Central Africa-At a glance. UNFPA. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.unicef.org/wca/media/2596/file
Aihe O.N (2009). Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Nigeria: Implications for Counselling. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejc/article/view/52648/41252
UNICEF (2021). Nigeria loses US$8.9 bn annually to violence against women, child marriage. Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/nigeria-loses-us8-9-bn-annually-to-violence-against-women-child-marriage-unicef/amp/
Al Ubaidi (2017, July 31). Cost of Growing up in Dysfunctional Family. ClinMed International Library. Retrieved June 28, 2022 https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/jfmdp/journal-of-family-medicine-and-disease-prevention-jfmdp-3-059.php
Okafor C. (2020, June 19). Gender based violence: A costly human rights issue for Nigeria. Business Day Nigeria. Retrieved on June 24 2022 from https://businessday.ng/amp/opinion/article/gender-based-violence-a-costly-human-rights-issue-for-nigeria/
