“I tried everything I could to fight him off, I tried to scream but only air escaped my lung” Lola, 19years (sexual violence)
“I pushed, kicked, punched and scratched and that is when I felt a knife pierce my skin. I want completely limp” (domestic violence)
“I thought my legs were fast because they never stopped running but I never thought he was right there with me from the start, waking up with me everyday and that day, I knew home is where I should run from, it is not safe either”(sexual violence)
Carie 25 years says “It brings pain in my heart that I couldn’t run away from the isolation very early. It took away my identity and my dignity” (Emotional violence )
Introduction
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a violation of the fundamental human rights; in which women and girls are more frequent victims than men and boys. It is a global problem which occurs in the home, at school, in the work place and other social settings. GBV includes rape, assault, wife-battering and beating, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual aggravations. GBV, more often than not, drives fear into the lives of women and young girls and less frequently, men and boys. Yet, it is the least recognized human rights abuses. Even though women are presumably protected by the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1975), the women’s rights agenda did not attract global attention until 1979 when 160 members of the United Nations (including Nigeria) adopted the International Bills of Rights for Women, and the Convention on the. Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Violence is the second leading cause of death among adolescent girls globally (WHO 2012). According to a situational analysis conducted in Nigeria, overwhelming evidences has emerged that GBV is thriving and widespread. Though Nigeria Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to dignity of human person, and forbids the subjection of any person torture or to inhuman degrading treatment, GBV remains a daily unreported occurrences. This is because the Nigeria society is ruled by a pervasive patriarchal system, which supports male supremacy, unequal gender role relations, and grants men power and control over women in both domestic and public spheres. One direct consequence of this social arrangement is a general laissez faire attitude towards GBV and passive acceptance by some of its victims. GBV can be classified into four broad categories namely; domestic violence, non-spousal/violence outside the home / sexual harassment, harmful traditional practices and psychological violence. Read more
