Sexual and gender-based violence in camps for internally displaced people and host communities in northeast Nigeria: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Background The northeastern region of Nigeria has had a persistent increase in the number of internally displaced people due to insurgency. The disruption to the socioeconomic lives of the women in this region places them at a high risk of all forms of abuse from insurgents, security agents deployed to protect the people in the camps and host communities, and other members of the community. This study aims to assess the prevalence and pattern related to sexual and gender-based violence in selected states in northeast Nigeria. The study also assessed the availability and patronage of health-care services by survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and facilities for the prosecution of perpetrators of such violence. Methods A mixed methods study design was used. We obtained quantitative data using a semi-structured questionnaire and a facility checklist administered by interviewers to internally displaced people and workers at health facilities. Qualitative data were recorded in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used to collect data from internally displaced women, community leaders, security personnel, health workers in the camps and host communities, and staff of non-governmental and humanitarian organisations. Findings We included data from 4868 internally displaced people. About a third had experienced a form of sexual violence (1616 [33•2%]) while a fifth reported physical violence (997 [20•5%]). We noted that 1382 women (28•4%) had experienced socioeconomic violence and 1484 (30•5%) reported emotional violence, while about half reported harmful traditional practices (2297 [47•2%]). Experience of sexual and physical violence since displacement was reported by 123 (7•6%) and 36 women (3•7%), respectively. Perpetrators of sexual violence since displacement include Boko Haram insurgents (63 [51•5%]); 34 (27•3%) were unknown, 22 (17•8%) were members of the police and armed forces, 19 (15•4%) were intimate partners, and seven (5•8%) were relatives. Most women (30 [80%]) reported Boko Haram insurgents as perpetrators of physical violence followed by strangers (four women [12%]), men in the camp or host community (two women [5%]), and police and army (one woman [3%]). Overall, a third of women who experienced sexual violence (533 [33•0%]), and almost half those who reported physical violence (478 [48•0%]) sought care. We noted that 525 women (35•4%) and 511 women (37%) sought care for emotional and socioeconomic violence, respectively. Facility assessment showed that the basic facilities needed to manage sexual and gender-based violence and prosecute perpetrators were lacking in many health facilities and police stations in camps and host communities. Interpretation Interventions are urgently needed to improve the capacity of the health team and security personnel to better combat sexual and gender-based violence. Community-based committees for the prevention of such violence will also be of immense benefit in reducing the occurrence of the various forms of sexual and gender based violence. Fu...

Experience of Gender-based Violence by Internally Displaced Women in Southern Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

“…In contrast to the reported nature of violence during conflict, more than 92% of reported GBV post-conflict were attributable to sexual violence. This is consistent with reports of similar studies which indicate that sexual violence is a common feature of post-conflict insurgency in Nigeria (Ojengbede et al, 2019;Read, 2020). Sexual violence as epitomized by rape and sexual harassment were the main features of GBV reported by the participants post-conflict.…”

“…Other studies focused only on either GBV experiences during conflict or post conflict (Aham-Chiabuotu, 2019; Anastario et al, 2009; Hynes et al, 2004; Logie et al, 2017). A recent descriptive study that included community members adopted a mixed-method approach to report prevalence and pattern of sexual and GBV in North-East Nigeria (Ojengbede et al, 2019). However, much remains to be understood about the nature of violence experienced by women during conflict, when in transit and after they have been lodged in internally displaced camps the country.…”

Opportunities and challenges in preventing violence against adolescent girls through gender transformative, whole-family support programming in Northeast Nigeria

“…For ethical reasons we did not ask direct questions related to individuals’ personal experience of violence perpetrated by family members, community members, or by parties to the Boko Haram insurgency. As a result, our findings do not include reference to non-partner sexual violence, female genital mutilation/cutting, or forced or early child marriage although existing data indicate these forms of violence are relatively prevalent for adolescent girls in northeast Nigeria [ 46 , 80 , 81 ]. A third limitation of this research was that data from adolescent girl participants was limited; this was likely due to challenges the research team encountered in remotely training data collectors on the use of adolescent-friendly, participatory methodologies with younger adolescents (age 14 and under).…”

“…Given the diverse ways in which women in northeast Nigeria engage with the ongoing social and political conflict, they may be cast as sympathetic or complicit with Boko Haram by Nigerian state forces or community members, and be victimized as a result. A recent study found that among a sample of 4,868 adult women from across northeast Nigeria, including Borno State, 33% reported experiencing sexual violence; perpetrators included Boko Haram insurgents, members of police or other security forces, unknown individuals within the community, and intimate partners [ 46 ].…”

Gender-based violence during COVID-19 lockdown: case study of a community in Lagos, Nigeria

“…Women and girls have been identified to be even more vulnerable to GBV during moments of social disruption and insecurity. A survey among thousands of internally displaced persons in northern Nigeria reported that around a third and a fifth had been subjected to sexual and physical violence, respectively since their displacement 10 . The COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to have ripple effects on GBV, particularly in areas where insecurity and social inequality are persistent 11 .…”