Ordeal of Intimate Partner Abuse and Sexual Violence in Nigeria

z

In Nigeria, Africa and the world over, intimate partner abuse and sexual violence can cause loss of dignity, depression and lack of self-confidence in its victims, leading to serious health problems relating to psychological and emotional distress, aggressiveness, sleeplessness, appetite changes and social incompetence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA) against women as “the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by current or former male partner”. This study reveals that if this problem lingers un-halted, gender equality will be unattainable in Nigeria, especially in North Central Zone and the circle will continue, leading to bigger and more serious health problems down the lane of poverty reduction struggles.

This research presentation examines the present critical nature and basic causal factors as well as existing effects of Intimate Partner Abuse and Sexual Violence (IPA/SV) on the health and intrinsic dignity of women in North Central Zone of Nigeria, and offer orientation as well as psychological/therapeutic support for reduction of the already high ordeal situation.

Empirical studies materials of recent stories picture and reports on (IPA/SV) will be collect from WHO, Karolinka Institute, Inter- Gender, Guttmacher Institute and centre for Non- Violence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN) and used. Also data will be gathered through interview and one on one discussion with 40 sample size affected Women from four states within the zone and a standardized survey design and convenient sampling technique will be used as methods for selection.

Global Statistic showed (IPA/SV) in terms of lifetime prevalence to be between 10 and 70% of women in marriage or current partnership worldwide and 20 – 71%  in Sub-Sahara Africa, with Nigeria hard- hit. The problem is suggested to be the third highest cause of death among people 15 -44 years of age, and most regrettable, it is a common form of violence against women in North Central Nigeria.

As the challenge continue to place serious negative effects on women’s health and dignity, with extensive effects on the society, only a successful  fight against causes garbed in cultural practices, norms, religious beliefs or tenets, social and economic influences can pave way for victory in intervention programs.

In conclusion, since under – reporting and adequate methodological strategies have been the bane for effective intervention against IPA/SV in Nigeria, this research intends employing these approaches, with long-term commitment in cooperation with many stakeholders.